FRUIT AND SHOOT BORER IN BRINJAL
Link
FRUIT AND SHOOT BORER IN BRINJAL
Pest Overview
Common name: Brinjal Shoot and Fruit Borer
Scientific name: Leucinodes orbonalis
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Crambidae
It is one of the most destructive insect pests of brinjal (eggplant). The larva damages both young shoots and developing fruits. Because the larva spends most of its feeding period inside plant tissues, it is difficult to control once it has entered the shoot or fruit.
Severe infestation can result in:
- Wilting and drying of shoots
- Poor plant growth
- Dropping or rotting of fruits
- Deformed and damaged fruits
- Significant reduction in marketable yield
🐛 Pest
Brinjal Shoot & Fruit Borer (BSFB)
Scientific name: Leucinodes orbonalis
🔍 Identification & Symptoms
1. Shoot Damage
- Young larvae bore into tender shoots.
- Infested shoots wilt, droop and dry.
- Small holes may be visible near the growing tip.
- Affected shoots can reduce plant growth.
2. Fruit Damage
- Larvae bore into developing fruits.
- Small holes with frass (insect excreta) may be seen on fruits.
- Inside the fruit, larvae feed on pulp and seeds.
- Damaged fruits become unmarketable and may rot.
How the Pest Spreads
The pest can persist and spread through:
- Continuous cultivation of brinjal
- Presence of infested crop residues
- Overlapping generations
- Abandoned or neglected brinjal plants
- Movement of infested plant material
- Adult moths moving between nearby fields
If infested fruits and shoots are left in the field, the pest can continue developing and reinfest the crop.
Why Repeated Spraying Often Fails
Farmers sometimes spray repeatedly but still observe damaged fruits.
Common reasons include:
❌ Larva already inside fruit
Contact insecticides have limited access to larvae protected inside the fruit.
❌ Wrong timing
Spraying after severe infestation has developed gives poor results.
❌ Same insecticide repeatedly
This can contribute to insecticide resistance.
❌ Poor spray coverage
Dense foliage can prevent adequate coverage of susceptible plant surfaces.
❌ Infested fruits not removed
Remaining infested fruits allow the pest to continue its life cycle.
❌ Incorrect dose
Both under-dosing and unauthorized over-dosing can cause problems.
🛡️ Integrated Pest Management
| Method | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| 🌱 Field sanitation | Remove and destroy infested shoots and fruits regularly |
| 🪤 Pheromone traps | Use Leucinodes orbonalis-specific pheromone traps for monitoring/mass trapping |
| 🌼 Crop management | Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization |
| 🐞 Biological control | Encourage natural enemies and use suitable biocontrol options |
| 🧴 Chemical control | If infestation crosses the economic threshold, use a locally registered insecticide according to its label and crop-specific recommendation |
Important Tip
Do not leave bored fruits or infested shoots in the field. Collect and destroy them regularly to break the pest's life cycle.