Grasshoppers: Hieroglyphus banyan
Symptom:
- Adult and nymph grasshoppers feed on leaves from the margins of leaf blades creating cut out areas during the solitary stage.
- Finally, it leaves only the leaf midrib.
Identification of pest:
- Egg: Eggs in the form of egg pods, usually more than ten, either in the sand or among leaf litters. Each egg pod consists of about 10-300 eggs that are rice shaped.
- Nymph: Nymphs are miniature versions of adult grasshoppers, except that they are light in colour and do not possess wings. The nymphal stage may last for a period of 5-10 days.
- Adult: After about a month, a nymph becomes an adult. An adult grasshopper lives for 1-2 months.
Management:
Cultural method:
- Tillage – Tillage controls grasshoppers primarily by eliminating the green plants on which they feed.
Biological method:
- Baits containing the protozoan Nosema locustae is a biological control option that may be considered for treating grasshopper breeding sites. This is sold under the trade names Nolobait or Semaspore and can produce infection of many species of grasshoppers. Because it is selective in effects, only affecting grasshoppers.
Source-
- TamilNadu Agritech Portal
