Spices & Plantation crops IV Pepper

PEPPER

1.Pollu beetle: Longitarsus nigripennis :Alticidae : Coleoptera

• Eggs are laid on the berries and lays 1-2 eggs in each hole. EP: 5-8 days.
• Grub : Larval period is 30-32 days. Pupation occurs in soil. 
• Adult : Bluish yellow shining flea beetles.
• The grubs bore into the berries makes it hollow and crumble when pressed. Such hollow berries are called “POLLU” (Empty). 
• Irregular holes on leaves.

Irregular holes on Leaves

Adult

   

POLLU Berry

2.Top shoot borer: Cydida hemidoxa :Eucosmidae:Lepidoptera. 

• Larva: Greyish green. 
• Adult: Tiny moth. Forewing black with distal half red. Hind wing greyish.
• Drying and dying of terminal shoots.

3.Berry gall midge: Cecidomyia malabarensis; Cecidomyiidae: Diptera.