The Chilli Fruit Borer, Helicoverpa armigera, belonging to the Family Noctuidae of the Order Lepidoptera, is a major pest that causes significant yield losses and reduces the quality of crops worldwide. This pest is also known as Leaf Feeder, Leaf-eating Caterpillar, Gram Caterpillar, or Gram Pod Borer. It is a highly destructive insect that feeds on the Chilli plant’s developing flowers, fruits, and pods.
This pest is a nocturnal moth whose caterpillars are the primary cause of damage to Chilli crops. It is a polyphagous pest that can adapt to different environmental conditions, making it difficult to control. Effective integrated pest 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 Fruit Borer Pest in Chilli crops, including its symptoms, identification techniques, and control.
Chilli Fruit Borer Pest Management
Life Cycle of Chilli Fruit Borer Pest in Chilli Crop
The life cycle of the Chilli Fruit Borer pest has four stages. They are egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The Chilli Fruit Borer moth lays eggs singly or in small clusters on the Chilli plant’s developing flowers, fruits, and pods. The incubation period of the eggs is 2-5 days, depending on the temperature and humidity. The newly hatched caterpillars feed on the Chilli plant’s developing pods, flowers, and fruits. The larvae undergo five to six instars before entering the pupal stage.
The larval stage duration varies from 10-20 days, depending on the temperature and food availability. The fully grown larvae pupate in the soil or on the plant. The pupal stage is a resting stage where the insect undergoes metamorphosis and becomes an adult moth. The pupal stage lasts 7-14 days, depending on the temperature. The adult moth emerges from the pupa and is nocturnal. The female moth lays eggs on the Chilli plant, and the cycle continues.
Occurrence of Chilli Fruit Borer Pest in Chilli Crop
- Location of Chilli Fruit Borer 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 Fruit Borer pest infects crops like Chilli, Tomato, Cotton, Maize, Gram, Lablab, Safflower, Tobacco, Soybean, Groundnut, Cowpea, Sunflower, Sorghum, and Pigeon peas.
Factors Favoring the Population Increase of Chilli Fruit Borer Pest in Chilli Crop
- The pest is most active