Spotted boll worm

Ehtisham Ali Hussain
University College Of Agriculture,
University Of Sargodha, Sargodha
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1. Insect Pests of Agricultural Crops Insect Pests of Cotton Ehtisham Hussain BAGF15E258 University College Of Agriculture, University Of Sargodha, Sargodha In the name of Allah, the most Merciful and the most Beneficent

2. Spotted Bollworm Technical Name: Earias insulana Earias vitella ( N octuidae; Lepidoptera) Pest category: Borer Major pest of Cotton

3. Identification: Eggs- green in colour Larvae- E. insulana in greenish white colour with black spots and E. vitella in brownish colour Adult moths- E. insulana have forewings completely green and E. vitella have longitudinal green band in the middle of straw coloured wing.

4. Earias vitella Egg Larva Pupae Adult

5. Pupae Adult Earias insulana

6. Life Cycle of Spotted Bollworm: Egg Adult Larva Pupae egg hatches in one week grows in 12-14 days 18-21 days pupal period Lays 200-400 eggs on leaves In winter, the life cycle is greatly prolonged

7. Damage: It is a chewing insect pest of cotton that causes great economic loss to cotton crops. Symptoms of damage Drying and drooping of terminal shoots during pre-flowering stage Shedding of squares and young bolls Flaring up bracts during square and young boll formation Holes on bolls and rotting of bolls

8. Drying- terminal shoots Bore holes and rotting Flare square

9. Control: Pest can be controlled by following method Clean cultivation and destruction of alternate host plants. Early sowing of crops. Use of resistant varieties. Natural enemies of the pest (predators and parastoids) should be promoted in the field. Application of cypermethrin EC 200-250 ml/acre, spinisad SC 80 ml/acre and emamectin benzoate EC 75 ml/acre.