Here are some major pests of Brinjal, along with their scientific names, family, damaging stage, nature of damage, oviposition and pupation site, and management strategies:
1. Fruit and Shoot Borer:
- Scientific Name: Leucinodes orbonalis
- Family: Crambidae
- Damaging Stage: Larvae
- Nature of Damage: The larvae bore into the shoot and fruits of the plant, leading to wilting, drying, and dropping of the affected parts.
- Oviposition and Pupation Site: Eggs are laid singly on the tender parts of the plant, and the larvae pupate inside the fruit.
- Management: Use of pheromone traps, installation of yellow sticky traps, removal of affected shoots and fruits, use of botanical insecticides such as neem oil and pyrethrum, and biological control agents such as Trichogramma chilonis and Bracon brevicornis.
2. Brinjal Fruitworm:
- Scientific Name: Helicoverpa armigera
- Family: Noctuidae
- Damaging Stage: Larvae
- Nature of Damage: The larvae feed on the fruits and bore inside them, leading to rotting and dropping of the fruits.
- Oviposition and Pupation Site: Eggs are laid on the flowers and fruits, and the larvae pupate in the soil.
- Management: Use of pheromone traps, installation of yellow sticky traps, removal of affected fruits, use of botanical insecticides such as neem oil and pyrethrum, and biological control agents such as Bacillus thuringiensis and Trichogramma chilonis.
3. Aphids:
- Scientific Name: Aphis gossypii
- Family: Aphididae
- Damaging Stage: Adults and nymphs
- Nature of Damage: The aphids suck the sap from the plant, leading to stunted growth, curling and yellowing of the leaves, and deformation of the fruits.
- Oviposition and Pupation Site: Eggs are laid on the undersides of the leaves, and the nymphs and adults feed on the plant.
- Management: Use of insecticidal soaps, neem oil, and horticultural oils, introducing biological control agents such as ladybirds and lacewings, and spraying with insecticides such as pyrethroids.
4. Whiteflies:
- Scientific Name: Bemisia tabaci
- Family: Aleyrodidae
- Damaging Stage: Adults and nymphs
- Nature of Damage: The whiteflies suck the sap from the plant, leading to stunted growth, yellowing, and curling of the leaves, and reduced fruit production.
- Oviposition and Pupation Site: Eggs are laid on the undersides of the leaves, and the nymphs and adults feed on the plant.
- Management: Use of insecticidal soaps, neem oil, and horticultural oils, introducing biological control agents such as Encarsia formosa and Eretmocerus mundus, and spraying with insecticides such as pyrethroids.
5. Spider Mites:
- Scientific Name: Tetranychus urticae
- Family: Tetranychidae
- Damaging Stage: Adults and nymphs
- Nature of Damage: The spider mites suck the sap from the plant, leading to stunted growth, yellowing, and curling of the leaves, and reduced fruit production.
- Oviposition and Pupation Site: Eggs are laid on the undersides of the leaves, and the nymphs and adults feed on the plant.
