Pests on leafy vegetables

AMARANTHUS

1. Amaranthus stem weevil: Hypolixus truncatulus: Curculionidae: Coleoptera

• It is a specific pest of amaranthus
• Eggs are smooth, oval and pale yellow in colour. Incubation period is 4 to 10 days. A female lays 30-34 eggs. 
• Grubs are stout, curved, legless and white in colour. Grub stage lasts for 12 - 24 days. 
• Adults are ash-grey in colour, with elbowed antennae and brown elytra.
• Grubs bite into stems and feed on pith region, making irregular zigzag tunnels, which are filled with excreta. 
• Adult feeds on tender leaves of stem makes circular holes in stems, branches and mid-ribs.

Stem Gall