Pests

Turmeric shoot borer (Dicchocrocis punctiferalis)

Nature

This is one of the most dangerous pests, where caterpillars bore into the shoots and cause dead hearts. Whilst the adult moths are yellow with black markings on both wings, the caterpillars are reddish brown, with black blotches all over the body.

Remedy:

• Destruction of affected shoots
• Spraying with 0.84% endosulfan or 0.1% carbonyl

Lace Wing Bug (Stephanitis typicus)

Nature

This white lace wing bug is found in colonies on the foliage and causes a sticky appearance on the plant.

Remedy:

0.1% Malathion

Leaf roller (Udaspes folus)

Nature

This pest attacks the fields between August October.

Remedy:

Spraying Carbaryl (0.1%) Dimethoate or Phosphamidon (0.05%) each

Thrips (Panchastotrhips indicus)

Nature

The pest lays eggs on the back of the leaves and when hatched, the insect sucks the sap of the leaf. Infested leaves roll up, yellow and eventually die.

Remedy

0.03% dimethoate, methyldemeton, phosphamidon or 0.1% carbonyl

Turmeric skipper

This pest is a black and white butterfly and leaves a mass of wax on the leaves.

Remedy

0.03% dimethoate, methyldemeton, phosphamidon, 0.1% carbonyl each

Rhizome scale (Aspidiella hartii)

Nature

The pest infests both the crop and those in storage. It causes those in the field to whither and those in storage to shrivel.

Remedy

Dipping seed rhizomes in Quinalphos (0.025%) or Fenitrotthion (0.05%)for 5 minutes after harvest and before planting Phosphomidon (0.05%) on the field