Controlling grapevine stem borer
GRAPE IS an important commercial fruit crop in India. It is plagued by several pests, which cause considerable damage to this economically important crop.
Among them, the stem borer is the most serious. Earlier, this pest was considered to be a problem only in old and neglected vineyards.
However, in recent years, severe incidence of this pest has been observed in even one year old gardens. An adult beetle is about 4 cm long and dull yellow with minute spots.
The adult beetles start emerging from the vines during July to September by making a round hole on the vine. Female beetles make conspicuous slits on the bark of the trunk and arms of the vine.
Cream coloured grubs
Capsule shaped eggs are laid singly in each of the slits and the slits are covered with a hard gummy substance. Newly hatched flat-headed cream coloured grubs burrow into the trunk or arms and feed inside and make them hollow.
They remain inside the vine up to May. Thereafter, they pupate inside the tunnel made in the vine.
Damage extent
Presence of sawdust like substance under the vine indicates the damage done by the grub. Damaged vines get weakened and growth gets affected.
The maturity of berries is also delayed which ultimately affects the grape production in terms of both yield and quality.
Pest Control
Hand picking of adults during July to September.
Destruction of eggs or first instar grubs present in the slits during July to September by cutting and removing the slit portion with the help of a sharp knife.
Spraying of endosulfan 0.07 percent in (2 ml of water) to kill adults in case of severe infestation.
A. RANGA REDDY
P. RADHAKRISHNA MURTHY
& G.V.SUBBARATNAM
Grape Research Station
Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University
Rajendranagar, Hyderabad
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