HOW TO CONTROL FRUIT AND SHOOT BORER IN BRINJAL?

The brinjal shoot and fruit borer attacks shoots, buds, flowers and fruits. Larvae bore into tender shoots, causing wilting, drooping and drying of growing tips, commonly known as dead heart. Infestation of buds and flowers causes shedding and poor fruit setting.

In fruits, larvae bore near the calyx and feed internally, leaving bore holes, frass, tunnels and damaged pulp. Mature larvae exit through circular holes, allowing secondary infections and fruit rotting. Severe infestation results in deformed, rotten and unmarketable fruits with reduced yield.

MAIN SYMPTOMS OF DAMAGE IN THE INFESTED FIELDS:

1. Wilting of tender shoots – Young shoots suddenly wilt, droop and eventually dry due to larval boring inside the stem.
2. Dead hearts – The terminal shoot tip turns brown, bends downward and dries completely, producing the characteristic “dead heart” symptom.
3. Bud and flower shedding – Infested flower buds and pedicels may wilt and drop prematurely, resulting in reduced fruit set.
4. Bore holes with frass – Small entry holes can be seen on shoots and fruits, often accompanied by frass (larval excreta) around the opening.
5. Internal fruit tunneling – Larvae feed inside developing fruits, causing internal galleries, tissue destruction and hollowing.
6. Fruit rotting – Damaged fruits may develop secondary fungal or bacterial infections, leading to softening, discoloration and rotting.
7. Circular exit holes – Mature larvae leave the fruit through characteristic circular exit holes, which are often clearly visible on severely infested fruits.
8. Premature fruit drop and unmarketable fruits – Severely damaged fruits may drop prematurely or become unsuitable for sale and consumption.
   
   
   

DIFFICULTIES FACED IN CONTROLLING THE PEST:

Controlling brinjal shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis) is difficult because larvae quickly bore into shoots, flowers and developing fruits, where they remain protected from contact insecticides. Symptoms such as dead hearts, bore holes and frass may become visible only after significant internal damage has occurred.

The pest also has overlapping generations, allowing eggs, larvae, pupae and adults to occur simultaneously and enabling rapid re-infestation from nearby fields. Repeated use of the same insecticide mode of action can further increase the risk of reduced sensitivity or resistance. In addition, infested shoots and fruits left in the field can maintain pest populations. Effective management therefore requires early scouting, removal of infested plant parts, timely control of young larvae, insecticide rotation and integrated pest management.

LARVEX – Powerful Protection Against Larval Pests

LARVEX is a naturally derived, plant-based crop-protection formulation developed to support crops against a broad range of destructive larval and caterpillar pests. Formulated with herbal extracts possessing medicinal and nutritional properties, LARVEX combines crop-protection activity with plant-supporting benefits, making it a valuable component of an integrated pest-management program. It is designed for important larval pests such as Helicoverpa armigera, Spodoptera spp., Spodoptera frugiperda, cutworms, fruit and shoot borers, and stem borers, which can attack crops at different stages and damage leaves, shoots, stems, flowers and developing fruits.

Unlike approaches focused only on eliminating visible insects, LARVEX is positioned as a plant-derived solution for managing larval pest pressure while supporting overall crop performance. Its herbal formulation helps strengthen the plant's natural defence response against larval pests while supporting vegetative growth, flowering and crop development. This makes it particularly relevant for crops where pest pressure and plant performance need to be managed together. LARVEX provides fast-acting and long-lasting protection, helping reduce repeated applications when used as recommended, while its plant-derived nature makes it suitable for inclusion in crop-protection programs where preservation of beneficial insects and environmental considerations are important.

Key Benefits of LARVEX

• Plant-Derived Formulation: Developed using herbal extracts for a botanical approach to crop protection.
• Broad Larval Pest Management: Suitable for important pests including Helicoverpa, Spodoptera, cutworms, fruit and shoot borers and stem borers.
• Supports Plant Defence: Helps strengthen the crop's natural defence against larval pest pressure.
• Promotes Plant Growth: Supports healthy vegetative development and overall plant vigour.
• Supports Flowering & Yield: Formulated to support flowering and crop productivity along with pest management.
• Fast-Acting & Long-Lasting: Provides rapid crop protection with sustained activity, helping reduce frequent reapplication.
• Beneficial-Insect Friendly Positioning: Designed to fit crop-protection programs that aim to preserve beneficial insect populations.
• Wide Crop Compatibility: Suitable for cereals, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits, horticultural crops and other agricultural crops.

Recommended Dosage

Foliar Spray: 1.2–1.5 ml/L of water

Recommended Crops

LARVEX can be used across a wide range of agricultural and horticultural crops, including paddy, chilli, cotton, sugarcane, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits, horticultural crops, cereals and other crops.

Why Choose LARVEX?

Modern crop protection increasingly requires more than a single method of pest suppression. Farmers need solutions that can be incorporated into integrated programs while also supporting crop health and productivity. LARVEX brings together plant-derived pest management and crop-supporting properties in a single formulation, offering a botanical approach for crops exposed to destructive larval pests