Chilli Cutworm Pest Management: Symptoms, Treatment, Chemical, Biological, and Organic Control

The Chilli Cutworm, Spodoptera litura, belonging to the Family Noctuidae of the Order Lepidoptera, is a notorious agricultural pest that inflicts significant yield losses and reduces the quality of crops worldwide. This insect moth lays eggs on the leaves of Chilli plants, and their larvae feed voraciously on the Chilli plant, causing critical damage to the plant’s growth.

They are nocturnal insects that only come out at night, making them difficult to detect during the day. The pest’s ability to reproduce rapidly and adapt to various environmental conditions makes it challenging to control using conventional pest management methods. Effective management strategies are essential to minimize the impact of this pest on Chilli production.

To effectively manage this pest, it is important to understand its life cycle, its preferred habitats, and the best methods for controlling it. This article will provide an overview and discussion of the Chilli Cutworm Pest in Chilli crops, including its symptoms, identification techniques, and control.

Chilli Cutworm Pest Management

Life Cycle of Chilli Cutworm Pest in Chilli Crop

The life cycle of the Chilli Cutworm pest has four stages. They are egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The Chilli cutworm pest’s lifecycle begins with the female moth laying eggs on the leaves of Chilli plants. The eggs require 2-4 days to hatch, and the emerging larvae feed on the plant tissue around them. The larval stage is the most destructive phase of the Chilli cutworm pest’s lifecycle. The larvae feed gregariously on the leaves, buds, flowers, and fruits of the Chilli plant, causing extensive damage.

The larvae molt several times during this stage, shedding their skin as they grow. Once the larvae reach maturity, they stop feeding and seek a suitable place to pupate. The pupa stage is a non-feeding stage where the larva transforms into an adult moth. The pupa stage lasts around 1-2 weeks, after which the adult moth emerges. The adult moths are also nocturnal and are active during the night. The female moth lays eggs on the leaves of the Chilli plant, starting the lifecycle again.

Occurrence of Chilli Cutworm Pest in Chilli Crop

Location of Chilli Cutworm Pest: This pest infests Chilli crops in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Africa, Sri Lanka, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, the Philippines, and Australia.
Host Range: The Chilli Cutworm pest infects crops like Chilli, Tomato, Cotton, Soybean, Maize, Sunflower, Tobacco, Castor, Groundnut, Cabbage, and Peas.

Factors Favoring the Population Increase of Chilli Cutworm Pest in Chilli Crop

The pest thrives in warm and humid conditions, with temperatures ranging from 20-32°C and relative humidity above 70%. These conditions provide ideal breeding and growth conditions for the pest, leading to a rapid increase in population density.
The rainy season is another favorable condition for pest infestation. The pest lays eggs on the underside of leaves, and the rain splashes them onto the ground, providing a favorable environment for the larvae to hatch and feed on the Chilli plant.
Late planting of Chilli crops also increases the risk of pest infestation. The pest lays eggs on the surrounding vegetation, and if the Chilli crop is not yet established, the larvae will feed on the surrounding vegetation until the Chilli plants emerge.
No-tillage farming, which involves planting crops without tillage, increases the risk of pest infestation. The pest overwinters in crop residues, and if no-tillage farming is practiced, the pest’s population density will increase, leading to an infestation in the next planting season.
Poor crop management practices, such as inadequate fertilization, irrigation, and weed management, can also increase the risk of pest infestation.
Monoculture farming, which involves planting a single crop in the same field year after year, can make the crop susceptible to pests.

Identification of Chilli Cutworm Pest in Chilli Crop

Egg: The eggs are usually laid in clusters, and each egg is small, round, and yellowish-white in color.
Larva: The larvae of the pest are usually green or brown with a darker head, and they can grow up to 4 cm in length.
Pupa: The pupa is usually brown and can be seen in the soil, leaf litter, or the plant.
Adult: The adult Chilli cutworm moth is greyish-brown with a wingspan of around 3-4 cm.

Damage Symptoms of Chilli Cutworm Pest in Chilli Crop

The characteristic symptom of this pest is the holes in the leaves caused by the borer cutworms.
These caterpillars scrape off the chlorophyll from the leaves and reduce the photosynthetic activity of the plants.
These caterpillars feed gregariously on the leaves, buds, flowers, and fruits.
They feed and breed actively at night. Other symptoms include drying and wilting of leaves.

Percentage of Yield Loss in Chillis Due to Chilli Cutworm Pest

In India, the yield losses due to Chilli Cutworm pests are 10-50%. In Bangladesh, the losses are 60%. In Nepal, the losses are 50%. In Thailand, the yield loss is 50%. In Malaysia, it is 30%. In Vietnam, the losses are 40%. In Sri Lanka, the losses are 50%. In Indonesia, the losses are 50%. In Africa, it is 80%. In the United States, it is 5-10%. In Mexico, it is 30%. In Brazil, it is 50%. In China, it is 30%.
In Colombia, the losses are 60%. In Ecuador, it is 60%. In Australia, it is 5%. In the Philippines, the yield losses are 60%. The Economic Threshold Level (ETL) for the Chilli Cutworm pest is set at five larvae per plant for large-sized plants.

In case you missed it: Chilli Fruit Borer Pest Management: Symptoms, Treatment, Chemical, Biological, and Organic Control

Cultural Control of Chilli Cutworm Pest in Chilli Crop

High planting density can reduce the incidence of Chilli Cutworm Pest infestations by reducing space availability for pest movement and feeding.
Proper soil management practices, such as deep plowing, can help to reduce the pest populations in the soil by exposing the pests’ pupae to predators, parasites, and adverse environmental conditions.
Removing weeds and plant debris can help reduce the population of overwintering pests.
Collecting and destroying the different life stages of the insect pest by hand can help reduce the pest populations.
Sticky traps can be used to monitor the presence and population of Chilli Cutworm Pest in the crop.

Biological Control of Chilli Cutworm Pest in Chilli Crop

Egg parasitoid Trichogramma spp. effectively controls the pest populations in the early stages of the crop cycle.
Larval parasitoids such as Bracon spp. and Cotesia spp. can control the pest in the later stages of the crop cycle.
Predatory insects such as ground beetles, spiders, and lacewings can be used to control the pest at various stages of their life cycle.
Pathogens such as a bacterial insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and a viral insecticide nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) can control the pest in the early and later stages of the crop cycle, respectively.
Entomopathogenic nematodes like Steinernema carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora infect and kill pests.

Chemical Control of Chilli Cutworm Pest in Chilli Crop

Spray insecticides on the crops like Chlorpyriphos, Pyrethroids, SINPV, Quinalphos, Endosulfan, Carbaryl, Monocrotophos, Imidacloprid, Thiamethoxam, Indoxacarb, Novaluron, Acephate, and Thiodicarb on the foliage to control the pest.
Poison Traps – Apply baits with bran and jaggery, along with Carbaryl, Monocrotophos, or Chlorpyriphos, and mix these pellets with water.

Organic Control of Chilli Cutworm Pest in Chilli Crop

Plant extracts from neem, garlic, tobacco, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, hot pepper, and Chilli can be applied to manage the infestation.
Spinosad produced by the soil bacterium Saccharopolyspora spinosa should be sprayed on the leaves and stems of Chilli plants to control the pest.
Applying organic manure, such as compost or animal waste, can help maintain soil health and promote plant growth, making them less susceptible.

Preventive Measures for Control of Chilli Cutworm Pest in Chilli Crop

Pheromone Traps – Place these traps to attract male moths and determine the pest intensity.
Trap Crop – Plant Castor as a trap crop in the field to divert the adults away from the Chilli crops.
Early planting of Chilli crops can help avoid the peak period of Chilli Cutworm Pest activity, thereby reducing the risk of crop damage.
Monitor the crops regularly to identify pest infestation in the early stages to keep it under control.

In case you missed it: Leaf Curl Management in Chilli/Peppers: Symptoms, Treatment, Chemical, Biological, Natural, and Organic Control

Conclusion

The Chilli Cutworm Pest, Spodoptera litura, is a major pest that affects Chilli production worldwide, causing significant yield losses and economic damage. To manage the pest integrated pest management strategies that include cultural, biological, preventive, and chemical control measures are recommended. Integrating these techniques in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner can help minimize the damage caused by the pest while maintaining a healthy and productive Chilli crop.