Control of grapevine stem borer
GRAPE CULTIVATION in India is plagued by several constraints of which insect pests cause considerable damage to this crop.
Serious problem
Among several infestations, the stem borer is the most serious problem being faced by the grape growers during recent years. 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.
Adult beetle is about 4 cm long and dull yellow in colour with minute spots.
Emerging time
The adults start emerging out from the vines during July to September by making a round hole on the vine. Females make conspicuous slits on the bark of the trunk and arms of the vine.
Capsule shaped eggs are laid singly in each of the slits and the slits are covered with a hard gummy substance.
Newly hatched cream coloured grubs burrow into the trunk and make them hollow. They remain inside the vine up to May. Thereafter, they pupate inside the tunnel made in the vine.
Presence of sawdust like substance under the vine indicates the damage done by the grub. Damaged vine gets 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 per cent in 2ml of water to kill adults in case of severe infestation.
A. Ranga Reddy,
P. Radhakrishna Murthy
Grape Research Station
& G. V. Subbaratnam
Department of Entomology
Acgarya.N.G. Ranga
Agricultural
University, Hyderabad
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