IPM Packages for Crops

insect pests

Black cutworm [ Agrotis ipsilon (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)] Black cutworm is polyphagous and spread around the globe. The larvae feed on leaves, stems, and roots of lentil. The older larvae cut the plant above the root zone. Weeds in and around the crop are major oviposition sites. The sporadic nature of cutworm populations makes preventive treatments futile. One way to control cutworm is to broadcast a poison bait prepared with wheat bran, cotton, or groundnut cake, and moistened with water. Parasitoids, Bracon kitcheneri, Fileanta ruficanada , and Microgaster spp., are common in India. Natural enemies re- corded include parasitoids Trichogramma spp. (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), Apanteles marginiventris, Microplitis sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Campoletis flavicincta, Hyposoter annulipes, and Ophion flavidus (Hymenoptera: Ichneu- monidae), and tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae), and predators Broscus punc- tatus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and Liogry- llus bimaculatus (‎ Orthoptera: Gryllidae). Entomopathogenic fungus (Metarhizium), nematode (Steinernema carpocapsae), and nuclear polyhedrosis viruses are effective in managing this pest. Beet Armyworm [ Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctu- idae)] This pest is widely distributed through- out the tropics and subtropics (Eastern Mediterranean countries and India). This is a polyphagous pest. The larvae of adult moths primarily feed at night and hide during the day and bury into the soil for pupation. The armyworm rarely causes economic damage in lentil. Pheromone traps are available for armyworms. Release of egg parasitoids, Trichogramma spp. and Telenomus remus , for control of cutworms and other caterpillar pests.

Thrips damage; Mary Burrows, Montana State Univer- sity, Bugwood

Lima-bean pod borer [ Etiella zinckenella (Lepidoptera: Pyrali- dae)] The larvae feed on the soft green seeds within the pods and destroy the entire pod. Host plant resistance can successfully manage this pest. Short duration genotypes have been reported to have a higher larval population of E. zinckenella. The parasit- oids Bracon etiellae, Bracon pectoralis, Phanerotoma planifrons , and Pigeria piger have been reported on larvae (Hymenop- tera: Braconidae). Bruchids [Bruchus ervi; Bruchus lentis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)] Bruchids are known storage grain pests; however, they do not reproduce in the stor- age. The adults feed on nectar and pollen and lay eggs on the young pods. Upon hatching, the larvae penetrate the pod and feed on developing seeds. Usually, single larvae feed on the single seed. Larvae eat and create a thin circular exit hole. After pupation, the emerging adult leaves the pod through this exit hole. Adults remain in the seeds or hibernate in protected plac- es such as residual crop. Hot air treatment and drying are major cultural management methods.