Here are the scientific names, families, orders, damaging stages, nature of damage, oviposition, pupation sites, and management strategies for several pests that affect brinjal (eggplant) trees:
1. Brinjal Shoot Borer:
- Scientific Name: Leucinodes orbonalis
- Family: Crambidae
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Damaging Stage: Larvae
- Nature of Damage: The larvae bore into the shoots, causing wilting, drying, and death of the central shoot. It also leads to fruit drop and secondary infections.
- Oviposition: Eggs are laid on leaves, stems, or fruits.
- Pupation Site: Pupation occurs in leaf debris or soil.
- Management: Cultural practices such as removing infested shoots, crop rotation, and pheromone traps can help reduce infestation. Biological control using Trichogramma wasps and chemical control with appropriate insecticides are also options.
2. Brinjal Fruit Borer:
- Scientific Name: Helicoverpa armigera
- Family: Noctuidae
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Damaging Stage: Larvae
- Nature of Damage: The larvae bore into the fruits, causing internal feeding damage and making them unfit for consumption.
- Oviposition: Eggs are laid on fruits or leaves.
- Pupation Site: Pupation occurs in the soil.
- Management: Regular monitoring, handpicking of infested fruits, cultural practices like proper sanitation and removal of crop residues, biological control using Trichogramma wasps, and judicious use of insecticides can help manage fruit borers.
3. Brinjal Jassids/Leafhopper:
- Scientific Name: Amrasca biguttula biguttula
- Family: Cicadellidae
- Order: Hemiptera
- Damaging Stage: Nymphs and adults
- Nature of Damage: They suck sap from leaves, causing yellowing, curling, and wilting. Heavy infestations can result in stunted growth and reduced yield.
- Oviposition: Eggs are laid on the undersides of leaves.
- Pupation Site: N/A (Hemimetabolous insects like leafhoppers do not undergo a pupal stage)
- Management: Cultural practices like removing weed hosts, planting trap crops, and using reflective mulches. Natural enemies such as ladybird beetles and parasitic wasps can also help control leafhoppers. Insecticides can be used if infestation levels are high.
4. Brinjal Aphids:
- Scientific Name: Aphis gossypii
- Family: Aphididae
- Order: Hemiptera
- Damaging Stage: Nymphs and adults
- Nature of Damage: Aphids feed on the sap of leaves and shoots, causing stunted growth, curling of leaves, and the development of sticky honeydew. They can also transmit viral diseases.
- Oviposition: Eggs are not laid as aphids reproduce viviparously, giving birth to live young.
- Pupation Site: N/A
- Management: Natural enemies such as ladybird beetles, lacewings, and parasitic wasps can help control aphid populations. Insecticidal soaps, neem oil, and selective insecticides can also be used for management.
5. Whitefly:
- Scientific Name: Bemisia tabaci
- Family: Aleyrodidae
- Order: Hemiptera
- Damaging Stage: Nymphs and adults
- Nature of Damage: Whiteflies suck sap from leaves, causing yellowing, wilting, and the development of sticky honeydew. They can transmit viral diseases.
- Oviposition: Eggs are laid on the undersides of leaves.
- Pupation Site: N/A
- Management: Cultural practices such as removing weed hosts, reflective mulches, and sticky traps. Natural enemies like Encarsia wasps and ladybird beetles can help control whitefly populations. Insecticides can be used as a last resort.
6. Red Spider Mites:
- Scientific Name: Tetranychus spp.
- Family: Tetranychidae
- Order: Trombidiformes
- Damaging Stage: Nymphs and adults
- Nature of Damage: Red spider mites feed on plant sap, causing stippling, yellowing, and premature leaf drop. They spin fine webs on the undersides of leaves.
- Oviposition: Eggs are laid on leaves and other plant surfaces.
- Pupation Site: N/A
- Management: Cultural practices like maintaining proper humidity, removing infested leaves, and using reflective mulches. Natural enemies such as predatory mites, ladybird beetles, and lacewings can provide biological control. Miticides can be used if necessary.
7. Hadda Beetle:
- Scientific Name: Epilachna vigintioctopunctata
- Family: Coccinellidae
- Order: Coleoptera
- Damaging Stage: Larvae and adults
- Nature of Damage: Both larvae and adults feed on leaves, causing skeletonization and defoliation. Heavy infestations can significantly reduce yield.
- Oviposition: Eggs are laid on leaves.
- Pupation Site: Pupation occurs on or near the host plants.
- Management: Cultural practices like crop rotation, handpicking of beetles and larvae, and maintaining good field hygiene. Biological control using predatory insects like ladybird beetles and parasitic wasps can be effective. Insecticides can also be used if necessary.
8. Brinjal Leaf Roller:
- Scientific Name: Leucinodes orbonalis
- Family: Crambidae
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Damaging Stage: Larvae
- Nature of Damage: The larvae roll leaves and feed within the rolled portions, causing wilting and damage to the growing points of shoots.
- Oviposition: Eggs are laid on leaves.
- Pupation Site: Pupation occurs in leaf debris or soil.
- Management: Similar to the management of brinjal shoot borer (see above) with cultural practices, biological control, and insecticide use if necessary.
9. Lacewing Bug:
- Scientific Name: Stephanitis typica
- Family: Tingidae
- Order: Hemiptera
- Damaging Stage: Nymphs and adults
- Nature of Damage: Lacewing bugs feed on leaves, causing yellowing, distortion, and necrosis. They leave behind black, tar-like spots on the foliage.
- Oviposition: Eggs are laid on leaves.
- Pupation Site: N/A
- Management: Cultural practices like removing weed hosts, maintaining proper field sanitation, and using reflective mulches. Natural enemies like predatory bugs and parasitic wasps can help control lacewing bug populations. Insecticides can be used if necessary.
10. Brinjal Stem Borer:
- Scientific Name: Scrobipalpa heliopa
- Family: Gelechiidae
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Damaging Stage: Larvae
- Nature of Damage: The larvae bore into the stems, causing wilting, stunted growth, and plant death. They can also create entry points for secondary infections.
- Oviposition: Eggs are laid on stems.
- Pupation Site: Pupation occurs inside the stem or in leaf debris.
- Management: Cultural practices like removing infested stems, crop rotation, and pheromone traps can help reduce infestation. Biological control using Trichogramma wasps and selective use of insecticides are also options.
