"Tenai," also known as foxtail millet, is another important millet crop cultivated in various parts of the world. Like other crops, tenai is also susceptible to a range of pests that can impact its growth and yield. Some common pests of tenai include: Armyworms: Larvae of certain moth species, these pests feed on the foliage of tenai plants, causing significant damage if left uncontrolled. Stem borers: Similar to ragi, stem borers can bore into the stems of tenai plants, weakening them and making them susceptible to lodging. Stem borers can lead to reduced yield and quality of tenai grains. Leafhoppers: These small insects feed on the sap of tenai plants, causing yellowing, wilting, and reduced growth. They can also transmit certain diseases. Grasshoppers and locusts: These chewing insects can consume the foliage of tenai plants, leading to defoliation and reduced photosynthesis. Severe infestations can result in significant yield losses. Birds: Birds can damage tenai crops by feeding on grains, especially during the grain-filling stage. Scare devices and netting may be used to protect the crop from bird damage. Weevils: Weevils are small beetles that can infest stored tenai grains, leading to losses in quality and quantity. Proper storage practices, including drying grains thoroughly and using hermetic storage techniques, can help prevent weevil infestations. Mites: Various species of mites can infest tenai plants, causing damage to foliage and reducing photosynthetic activity. Severe infestations can lead to yield losses. To manage pests in tenai cultivation, integrated pest management (IPM) strategies are recommended. These may include cultural practices such as crop rotation, intercropping with pest-repellent crops, use of resistant varieties, biological control using natural enemies of pests, and judicious use of chemical pesticides when necessary. Regular monitoring of fields for pest infestations and timely intervention are crucial to minimize crop losses.

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

2. Stem borer, Anadastus parvulus, Languriidae,
Coleoptera
1
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Symptoms
Dead hearts and white ears
Plants wither in severe cases
Defoliation by adults
Yellowish with chitinous
spines on the surface of
the anal segment
Small, narrow elongate
beetle with reddish
pronotum and blue elytra
Nature of damage
Grubs bore into the stem and
cause withering of plants. Adult
beetle scrapes green matter on
the leaves.
Distribution: Asia

3. Stem fly, Atherigona destructor, Muscidae, Diptera
2
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Symptom
Dead hearts in young plants
Adult
Small grey coloured fly

4. Cutworm, Mythimna separata, Agrotis ipsilon,
Noctuidae, Lepidoptera
3
China, Japan, South-east Asia, India, eastern Australia, New Zealand, and some Pacific islands
Attack in maize along with others
crops like rice, sorghum, sugarcane,
oats, wheat etc. may cause the
damage of foliage parts.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Paddy armyworm, Mythimna separata
Black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon

5. Ash weevils, Myllocerus dentifer, Curculionidae,
Coleoptera
4
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Symptom of damage
Larva feeds on the
secondary roots
Adults on leaves
(notching).
Adult - Brownish
weevil with black
longitudinal
markings
Myllocerus spp. Distribution: India, and Sri Lanka.
Management
Collect and destroy adults
Apply Neem cake @ 500 kg/ha at
the time of last ploughing

6. Plant hopper, Peregrinus maidis, Delphacidae,
Hemiptera
5
Symptom of damage
Plants become unhealthy stunted
and yellow.
Honeydew secreted by the bug
causes growth of sooty mould on
leaves.
The midribs of the leaves turn red
and may dry up subsequently.
Distribution: Widespread throughout most tropical and subtropical regions on earth, including
southern North America, South America, Africa, Australia, Southeast Asia and China.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

7. Egg: Laid inside the leaf tissue and covered with a white waxy substance.
Adult: Yellowish brown to dark brown with translucent wings.
Management
Spray any following insecticides
Dimethoate @ 0.02%,
Phosphomidon @ 250 ml in 450-500 litres water/ha
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

8. Earhead bug/ Gundhi bug, Leptocorisa acuta,
Alydidae, Hemiptera
Appearance of numerous brownish spots at the
feeding sites
They feed on the leaf sap near the tip/ on milky
sap in developing spikelets at milky stage.
Sucking of the milky sap causes ill-filled/ partial
filled and chaffy grains.
6
Nature of damage
Symptoms
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Distribution: south and east Asia, Throughout India but is more prevalent in Bengal, Bihar, Uttar
Pradesh and southern states

9. Eggs are circular,
brownish seed like, 2 mm
long, laid in clusters in two
rows along the midrib on
the upper surface of the
leaf-blade.
First instar is small, 2 mm
long, pale green in colour,
which grows to deepen
green through different
instars.
Adults long and slender,
above ½ inch in length
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Binomics

10. Management
1. Remove alternate host, Echinocloa from bunds and field.
2. Ensure synchronous planting on community basis in an area.
3. Use neem seed kernel extract 5% or notchi leaf powder extract 5% or
Prosopis leaf powder extract 5%
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

11. Black bug, Scotinophara coarctata, Podopidae,
Hemiptera
9
Nature of damage
Symptoms
Bugs feed on the panicles in reproductive stage
result in brown spots or chaffy grains in the
panicles.
Heavy bug infestation may cause death to the
plants and whole field appears burned called
“bug burn” similar to hopper burn.
Presence of bugs at the base of the stem just
above the water level.
Leaves turn reddish brown and dry
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Distribution: Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.

12. Eggs are cylindrical and laid in clusters on
the leaves.
Adults are flat, 7-9 mm long, brownish black
bugs with a prominent scutellum and
pronotum having a spine on either side.
Adults or late nymphal stage aestivate in
cracks in bunds
Nymph is brown with yellowish green
abdomen and a few black/brown spots
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Binomics