Cucurbits
SN Features Name of Pest
Melon Fruit
fly Dacus cucurbitae C
Host
plants
Gourds, Melon, Tondli, Guava, Mango, Ber & other fruits
Identification Adult is wedge-shaped small insect with greyish body
They walk diagonally.
Pupation: in soil.

Active Stage:

Active during rainy season

Nature of damage Both nymphs & adults suck the cell sap from young leaves, tender shoots, flowers
Flower & flower buds wither and dry
Damage is more pronounced in flowering season
Premature dropping of flowers and fruits occur. Also excrete honey dew which encourages development of black sooty mould. As a result upper surface of flower shoots become black which affects the fruit setting.
Control measures Clean cultivation, i.e. removal and destruction of fallen & infested fruits daily.
Deep ploughing to expose hibernating stages.
Application of spray baits.
Spraying with 0.05% malathion or 0.-1% carbaryl at flowering.
Name of Pest

Pumpkin beetle
Raphidopalpa foveicollis

Host
plants
All cucurbits, bottle gourd, red pumpkin & cucumber
Identification Adult beetles are small. The Elyria of red pumpkin beetle is pale orange yellow to deep pale brown while in case of black pumpkin beetle it is black & it is yellowish in yellow pumpkin beetle. Grubs small, slender, elongate, creamy yellow with brown head and legs
Pupation: in soil
Active Stage:
Active during hot weather i.e. March to May
Nature of damage Beetles damage the leaves, flowers and fruits, making irregular holes and causing death and retardation of growth.

The grubs live in the soil and feed on roots and stem of plant.

Fruits and leaves also get damaged when comes in contact with soil.

Damaged roots, stems start rotting.

Control measures Preventive measures like burning of old creepers, ploughing & harrowing of field after harvest of crop to destroy the stages of pest.
Collection & destruction of beetle in early stage of infestation.
Spraying with 0.05% malathion or dusting with 5% malathion dust @ 10 kg/ha.
In case of heavy infestation resowing is required to be done.
Name of Pest
Blister beetle
Mylabris pustulata
Host
plants
Polyphagus different cucurbits, cotton, groundnut, millets, bhendi, rose.
Identification The Beetles are medium sized having three black & yellowish orange band running alternately on elytra. These beetles when disturbed exclude an acid fumes which contains contharidin and causes blisters on human skin.
Pupation: in soil.
Active Stage: active during August to December
Nature of damage Beetles feed on pollen and petals of flowers & flower buds;
Affecting fruit-setting adversely
Control measures Hand collection & destruction of beetles.
Dust 4% Carbaryl or spray 0.05% Malathion
Name of Pest
Leaf-eating beetles
Epilachna duodecastigma
Host
plants
Polyphagus, cucurbits, brinjal,potato, tomato, etc.
Identification Beetles are spherical, pale brown with black spots. E.duodecastima has 6 spots on each elytra
Pupation: on leaves.
Nature of damage Both grubs & beetle feed by scrapping chlorophyll from epidermal layers of leaves which gradually dry away.
Control measures Collect & destroy infested leaves along with insects in the initial stages
Spray 0.1% Carbaryl or 0.05% Malathion or Dichlorvos (DDVP)


Plant Protection Database