Description:

• The caterpillars of the spotted bollworm are characterized by distinct black and brown spots on their bodies, which give the pest its name.

Damage Symptoms:

• Infestation typically starts around six weeks after sowing.
• The pest initially bores into tender shoots, leading to "drying of central shoots," which subsequently wither and fall off.
• Larvae later target flower buds, squares, and bolls, boring into them.
• Signs of infestation include bored flower buds (squares) and bolls, with visible larval frass around the entry holes.
• Feeding activity causes substantial shedding of early-formed flower buds and bolls.

Preventive Measures:

• Set up pheromone traps at the rate of 12 traps per hectare.
• Conduct deep ploughing during the summer.

Control Measures:

• Spray endosulfan at 2.0 ml/l, quinalphos at 2.5 ml/l, or chlorpyriphos at 2.5 ml/l.