Crop: Turmeric S.N: Curcuma longa Family:Zingiberaceae Pests

Important pests of turmeric and ginger

Shoot borer: Conogethes punctiferalis	Symptoms	Identification	Management
Rhizome scale: Aspidiella hartii	Symptoms	Identification	Management
Leaf roller: Udaspes folus	Symptoms	Identification	Management
Thrips: Panchaetothrips indicus	Symptoms	Identification	Management

1.Shoot borer: Conogethes punctiferalis     

 

	Symptoms of Damage Yellowing and drying of leaves of infested pseudostems. The presence of a bore-hole on the pseudostem through which frass is extruded and the withered and yellow central shoot
Damaged leaves and larva presence on the inside stem

 

		Identification of pest Egg: is pink, oval, flat and lays singly or in group on the tender part of the plant Larva: is long, pale greenish with a pinkish was dorsally, head and pro-thoracic shield brown in colour and body covered with minute hairs arising on wards. Pupa: Pupation takes place in lose silken coccon in larval tunnel. Adult: is a medium sized moth, the wings are pale yellowish with black spots on the wings.
Larva	Adult

 Management

• Spraying malathion 0.1% at 30 day intervals during July to October is effective in controlling the pest infestation.
• The spraying has to be initiated when the first symptom of pest attack is seen on the inner most leaves on the pseudostem.

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2. Rhizome scale: Aspidiella hartii

Symptoms of Damage

Field infestation Plants look devitalized, pale and withered before drying completely. In such cases at the time of harvest minute yellowish crawlers can be seen moving in large numbers and this is the potential stage of dissemination.

 

Storage infestation In Initial stage of infestation in, the white coloured scales are seen scattered on rhizomes and latter they congregate near the growing buds. When the infestation is severe the rhizome and buds shrivel and ultimately the entire rhizome dries.

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Identification of pest

Adult

• Female: scales are circular (about 1mm diameter) and light brown to gray and appear as encrustations on the rhizomes.
• Male is orange coloured with transparent wings, distinct head, thorax and abdomen.

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Management

• Discard and do not store severely infested rhizomes
• Collect and destroy damaged leaves
• Select healthy rhizomes free from scale infestation for seed materials
• Treat seed material with quinalphos 0.075% (for 20-30 minutes) before storage and also before sowing in case the infestation persists.
• Apply well rotten sheep manure @ 10 t/ ha in two splits or poultry  manure in 2 splits followed by drenching dimethoate 30 EC @ 2 ml or phosalone 35 EC @  2ml /lit of water

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3. Leaf roller: Udaspes folus

Leaf Spot

Symptoms of Damage

• Leaves become folded or rolled longitudinally
• Complete defoliation

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Identification of pest

• Larva: is smooth green with black head

		Adult It is brownish black butterfly Forewing: has a white spots Hind wing: has a large white patch
Larva	Adult

Management

• A spray with carbaryl (0.1%) or dimethoate (0.05%) may be undertaken when the severe infestation   
• Spray the following dissolved in 1 lit of water, Bavisitin 2g +Mancozeb 2g + Teefol 1 ml

4. Thrips: Panchaetothrips indicus 

Symptoms of Damage 

• Leaves become rolled up
• Turn pale and gradually dry-up

	Identification of pest Adult is with fringed wings
Adult - Thrips

Management

• Spray insecticides like quinalphos 0.025% or fenthion or phosalone 0.07%

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