Epilachna Beetle

Description: The grubs and adults both are the damaging stages of this insect. It is one of the serious pests of a potato crop. They feed on the foliage. The grubs scrap away the chlorophyll from the leaves leaving only veins. The grubs or larvae of these beetle are very sluggish and move very slowly while feeding on leaves. These are yellowish in color with erect spines on their body. A severe infestation may cause a loss up to 70 per cent in yield.

Control Measures

• Spraying with 0.2 per cent Carbaryl (Sevin 50 WP) at the rate 1000 liters of water has been found quite effective.
•  Dusting of 5 per cent Carbaryl (Sevin) dust at the rate of 30 kg per hectare may also control the pest.