Bengalgram, also known as chickpea or garbanzo bean, is susceptible to various pests that can affect its growth and yield. Some common pests of Bengalgram include: Pod Borer (Helicoverpa armigera): This is one of the most damaging pests of Bengalgram. The larvae bore into the pods and feed on the developing seeds, causing significant yield losses. Gram Pod Borer (Heliothis spp.): Similar to the pod borer, gram pod borers also attack the pods of Bengalgram, leading to reduced yields. Aphids: These sap-sucking insects can infest Bengalgram plants, causing stunted growth, yellowing of leaves, and reduced vigor. They also excrete honeydew, which can promote the growth of sooty mold. Whiteflies: Whiteflies are tiny insects that feed on the undersides of leaves. Heavy infestations can lead to leaf yellowing, wilting, and reduced photosynthesis. Cutworms: Cutworm larvae feed on the stems of young Bengalgram plants, often cutting them at the soil level. This can result in plant lodging and reduced stand establishment. Thrips: Thrips are small, slender insects that feed on leaves, causing silvering or bronzing of the affected tissue. Severe infestations can lead to reduced photosynthesis and stunted growth. Wireworms: Wireworms are the larvae of click beetles and feed on the roots of Bengalgram plants, causing wilting, reduced nutrient uptake, and sometimes plant death. Armyworms: Armyworm larvae can defoliate Bengalgram plants by feeding on leaves. Severe infestations can lead to significant yield losses. To manage these pests effectively, integrated pest management (IPM) strategies can be employed, which may include cultural practices, biological control, and judicious use of pesticides to minimize environmental impact. Crop rotation, timely sowing, use of resistant varieties, and maintaining proper plant nutrition can also help in reducing pest pressure on Bengalgram crops.

1. Pests of Bengal gram
By
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD.
Assistant Professor (Entomology)
JSACAT
Affiliated to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

2. Gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera, Noctuidae,
Lepidoptera
1
Symptom of damage
Plants seen defoliated
Boreholes seen on the pods
Nature of damage
Young larva feeds on tender leaves, buds, flowers,
and subsequently it bores into the pods and feeds
on the seeds with its head and part of the body only
thrust inside, the rest remaining outside
Widespread in central and southern Europe, temperate Asia, Australia and Africa
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

3. On the forewings, there is speck that forms a V-shaped mark. Hind wings are dull
grey coloured with a black border on the distal end.
Spherical in shape with
sculptures in the form of
longitudinal ribs
The colour varies according to the food intake. Dorsal surface
bears dark broken stripes. Head is reddish-brown. Larva is highly
cannibalistic and readily eats one another.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

4. Management
• ETL: 2 early instar larvae/plant 5-8 eggs/plant
• Pheromone traps for Helicoverpa armigera 12/ha
• Bird perches 50/ha
• Hand picking of grown up larvae and blister beetles
• Inundative release of egg parasitoid Trichogramma spp.
and egg larval parasitoid, Chelonus blackburnii
• Ha NPV 1.5 x10 POB/ha with teepol (1 ml/lit.)
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
12

5. Apply any one of the following insecticides in 700-1000 L of water per ha.
• Azadirachtin 0.03% @ 2.5-5.0 L
• Bacillus thuringiensis serovar kurstaki 5 WP @ 1.0-1.25 kg
• Lufenuron 5.4 EC @ 600 ml
• Benfuracarb 40 EC @ 2.5 L
• Methomyl 40 SP @ 750-1125 g
• Emamectin benzoate 5 SG @ 220 g
• NPV of H. armigera @ 250 -500 ml
• Spinosad 45 SC @ 125-160 ml
• Indoxacarb 14.5 SC @ 333-400 ml or 15.8 SC 335 ml
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

6. Tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura, Noctuidae,
Lepidoptera
2
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Nature of damage
Early instar larva remain
gregarious and cause
skeletonization.
Later instar cause defoliation
Symptom of damage
Skeletonization, defoliation
The countries with the most widespread population of S. litura include but are not limited to China,
Indonesia, India, Japan, and Malaysia

7. Yellow in colour, laid in mass
and covered with hairs.
Pale greenish with dark markings; gregarious in
the early stages
Brown colour,
obtect pupa
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

8. Moth with wavy white markings on a brown forewing. Hindwings
white with a brown patch along the margin
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

9. Management
•Hand pick and destroy the caterpillar
•Collect and destroy the damaged plant parts
•Summer ploughing to expose to the pupae
•Use light trap
•Apply Bacillus thuringenesis
•Field release of egg parasitoid such as Telenomus
spodopterae and Telenomus remus
•Field release of entomopathogenic fungus Nomuraea
rileyi
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

10. Cut worm, Spodoptera exigua, Noctuidae,
Lepidoptera
3
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Symptom of damage
Defoliation.
Nature of damage
Larvae hide in the soil during
daytime and feed on leaves at
night.
Distribution: Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and North America

11. Brownish green
with wavy lines in
dorsal surface and
lateral yellow
stripes
Brown moth with
white hindwings
Lays cluster of
eggs on the lower
portion of young
plants
Pupates in the soil in earthen cocoons Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

12. Black cut worm, Agrotis ipsilon, Noctuidae,
Lepidoptera
4
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Symptom of damage
Cutting of tender stem and defoliation.
Nature of damage
Larva defoliates the crop.
Southern Canada, United States, Mexico, Central and South America, Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific
Rim, North Africa, Europe, and Asia

13. Creamy white, dome-shaped
eggs, laid singly on lower
surface of the leaves
Dark brown pupae are found in earthen cells lying
underground
Newly emerged young larva is yellow in colour.
The full-grown larva is dark or dark brown/black
with a plump and greasy body.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

14. Dark with some grayish patches on the back and
dark streaks on the forewings.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

15. Semilooper, Autographa nigrisigna, Noctuidae,
Lepidoptera
5
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Symptoms of damage
Skeletonization of leaves and the plant
becomes whitish
The larvae feed on leaf buds, flowers, tender
pods and developing seeds.
Ragged and irregular pod. (This is in
contrast with the neat, and round hole,
characteristic of pod borer damage.)
Distribution: Northeastern Russia, Japan, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan,
Uttar Pradesh

16. The larva 25 mm long is green
semiloopers
Moths have typically patterned forewings
Egg is domed type, with two or three
micropyles at the top
Blackish, and the cremaster is well developed
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

17. Termite, Odontotermus obesus, Termitidae, Isoptera
6
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Symptoms of damage
Termite bores into the roots and stem. Due to
the bore the plants soon dries.
Attack may continue to the standing crop also
especially during the period of drought.
These are social insects, live in termitaria, in
distinct castes, workers, king and queen.
Eggs are laid on plants and in the soil.
'Worker' are small (4 mm) and have a soft, white
body and a brown head
Native to tropical southwestern Asia, Africa, tropical and subtropical regions of India

18. Management
Frequent intercultural operations and irrigation before sowing.
Field sanitation, timely disposal of crop stables and undecomposed
plant parts.
Two-three deep ploughing could also help control this pest.
Destroy the termite bunds in and around the field and kill the queen
and complimentary form.
Seed treatment with chlorpyriphos @ 4ml/kg of seed.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

19. White grub, Phyllophaga impiicita, Melolonthidae,
Coleoptera
7
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
June beetle
Deposit eggs in the soil during the day.
Grubs feed on fine rootlets
Adults feed on foliage

20. Black bean aphid, Aphis fabae, Aphididae, Hemiptera
8
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Found throughout the temperate regions of the world
Nature of damage
Black bean aphid can
cause significant damage
to crops by feeding on the
plant sap and transmitting
plant viruses.
Aphids - Cyclic/ Parthenogentic reproduction. Around ~ 41 generations per year