Causal organism: Pectinophora gossypiella
Cotton crop is deteriorating due to severe Pink bollworm infestation. It has turned out to be far worse than other pests. More crop and yield loss is causing due to this pest as it affects all the parts of the cotton crop. Most of the cotton growing areas are being affected by pink bollworm. Its attack is widespread and if not it is not managed it may lead to serious problems in crop field
SYMPTOMS OF DAMAGE
- It leads to the formation of Rosette flowers
- Caterpillars bore flowers, bolls and other parts of plant. Excreta can be observed at the point of bore holes by larval feeding. When bolls are opened, damaged seed kernel would be observed.
- They cut window holes in the two adjoining seeds thereby forms “double seeds“
- Whole cotton plantation is full of attacked buds and immature bolls as they fall down.
- Discolored lint and burrowed seeds can be seen.
IDENTIFICATION
Larva
- These are the most damaging stages
- They shows variation in colour. Young larva are white and late instar becomes almost black, brown or green to pale/pink
- Several dark and light alternating bands run the entire length of the body
Adult
- These are small moths
- Forewings are brown or dull yellow olive grey with dark spots
- Hind wings margins are deeply fringedÂ
MANAGEMENT
It can be controlled by using following insecticides
- Use Emamectin benzoate @ 4g/10 lit of water which destroys the larval stage of pink boll worm and gives effective control over pink boll worm damage.
- Damman A47 @ 1-1.5 ml/lit can be used as it mainly destroys the caterpillars in the cotton field. As it is composed of major elements like NPK and plant extracts it not only controls pests but also increases yield.
- Acetamaprid can also be sprayed along with pesticides to control fly stage(adult) of the pink boll worm.
