Crop Protection :: Pepper  
        Pollu beetle: Longitarsus nigripennis   
        
          
            | Symptoms of damage: | 
           
          
            
              
                - Grub feeds on the growing tip, tender stem, leaf petiole, spikes and berry. 
 
                    - Tunneling of tender stem causes drying up of the shoot.
 
                    - The portions of the spikes tunneled by grubs turn black and cause dropping of spikes due to the subsequent rotting.
 
                    - Grubs bore into the berries and feed on entire internal contents.
 
                    - Exit holes could be seen on dry berries.
 
                    - As a result of grub boring, the berries dry up and turn dark in colour.
 
                    - They are hollow and crumble when pressed.
 
              - Such hollow berries are called ‘Pollu’ berries.
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            Leaf damage: 
              
                - The adult beetles feed on all stages of the leaves. 
 
                - Most preferred one is tender leaves.
 
                - Due to feeding irregular holes are seen. 
 
                - On mature leaves, the beetle scrapes the green matter leaving the layer of upper epidermis.
 
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                Berry damage  | 
                Leaf damage | 
               
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            | Identification of pest: | 
           
          
            Eggs
              
                - Female beetle scoops out shallow holes on growing bud, leaf, petiole, terminal buds, spikes and tender berries and lay eggs singly.  
 
                - Freshly laid eggs are yellow and turn brownish yellow.
 
                - Grubs: Pale yellowish in colour.
 
                - Pupa: Pupation takes place in the soil in an earthen cell
 
                - Adult: Beetle is oblong with shiny black elytra and enlarged hind femur
 
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                | Adult | 
               
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            | Management: | 
           
          
            
              
                - Regulation of shade in the plantation reduces the population of the pest in the field.
 
                    - Tilling the soil at the base of the vines at regular intervals 
 
                    - Spraying quinalphos (0.05% each) during June/July and September/October or quinalphos (0.05% each) during July and Neemgold (0.6%) (neem-based insecticide) during August, September.
 
                    - The undersides of leaves (where adults are generally seen) and spikes are to be sprayed thoroughly
 
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