Peas Pests & its Control

Pea Aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisi): It is one of the serious pests of pea crop. The aphids attack from January onwards.The green soft-bodied nymphs and the adults attack the young vines and suck the sap of younger parts of plants. The affected plants become stunted and the pods curl, have rough spots and fail to fill.

Control: The insect can be controlled by spraying Malathion (0.05%) or Dichlorvos (DDVP) (0.05%). Spraying should be started as soon as the pest is observed.

Pod Borer (Helicoverpa spp.): The disease is more serious on green pods especially at the stage of maturity. The caterpillars bore into the pods and feed on the seeds.

Control: handpicking of the caterpillar and pupae during the early stages of infestation reduces the pest damage.

Pea Weevil (Bruchus pisorum): Adults feed in blossoms and lay eggs on young pods. Larvae after hatching from the eggs burrow into green seed.

Control: Spraying Malathion (0.05%) or Dichlorvos (DDVP) (0.05%) at the blossoming stage effectively control the pest.

Leaf Miner (Phytomyza atricornis): It is a major pest of pea. The larvae attack tender leaves and feed in the epidermal layers of the leaf by making serpentine mines in which air gets trapped and gives them silvery appearance. The affected leaves turn pale yellow, get distorted and crumpled. Such leaves gradually dry and die away.

Control: Spraying the plants with Dichlorvos (0.05%) at the emergence of new leaves is highly beneficial. Application of Phorate 10 G (1 kg a.i./acre) applied one day before planting is effective in reducing the larval population of leaf miner.

Stem Fly (Ophiomyai phaseoli): The stem fly is a major pest of pea. The maggots bore inside the stem leading to wilting of the plants.

Control: Seed treatment with Carbofuran (4%) protects the newly emerging seedlings from the infection. Spraying with Malathion (0.05%) or Monocrotophos (0.04%) as soon as the pest symptom is observed effectively controls the pest.