Insect Pests of Bengal Gram

The crop is attacked by a number of insects in the field as well as in the store. Some of them are described here.

1. Pod borer: The caterpillar, moving from pod to pod, eats the developing tender and soft seed. It causes 60-70% loss in yield. To control the insect spray Endosulfan 35 Ec @ 1.25 litres/hectare in 1000 litres of water or Monocrotophos @ 1 ml in 1 l litre of water using 800 litres of water/hectare.

2. Cut worm: The pest lives in the soil during day and cut the tender stems of the growing seedlings during night that amount to 80% loss if not controlled in time. To control, dust Heptachlor @ 25 kg! hectare or Aldrin 5% @ 20 kg/hectare on the appearance of the pest.