EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF FRUIT BORER IN TOMATO

Tomato fruit borer (Helicoverpa armigera) attacks the crop from the vegetative stage to fruit development. Young larvae feed on tender leaves, shoots, growing points, flower buds and flowers, causing holes, skeletonized leaves, flower drying and shedding.

During fruiting, larger larvae bore into developing green tomatoes, usually near the stem, shoulder or calyx. Round bore holes with fresh dark frass are common signs. Larvae feed inside the fruit on pulp and seeds, causing internal damage and reducing fruit quality.

Infested fruits may become deformed, drop prematurely, or develop fungal and bacterial infections, leading to rotting and loss of marketable yield. Early detection and timely management are therefore essential to prevent severe economic losses.

Main symptoms seen in the fields:

• Irregular holes and scraped patches on young leaves – Early-stage larvae feed on tender foliage, producing holes, chewed margins and a characteristic window-pane/skeletonized appearance.
• Damaged flower buds and flowers – Infested buds and blossoms are chewed, dry up and may shed prematurely, reducing fruit set.
• Circular bore holes in green fruits – Small to medium-sized round entry holes, commonly near the stem, shoulder or calyx, are the most important fruit-stage symptom.
• Fresh frass around the bore hole – Dark granular caterpillar droppings around the fruit opening strongly indicate active larval feeding.
• Caterpillar partially inserted into the fruit – A typical field identification sign is the larva with its head and front portion inside the tomato while the rest of the body remains outside.
• Internal feeding damage – On opening an affected fruit, tunnels, eaten pulp, damaged seeds and accumulated frass can be observed.
• Premature fruit ripening and fruit drop – Infested developing tomatoes may ripen abnormally, become deformed or drop before reaching harvest maturity.
• Secondary fruit rotting – Bore holes allow fungal and bacterial pathogens to enter, resulting in soft rot, discoloration, foul smell and rapid deterioration.

Look for the combination of fresh circular fruit bore holes + dark frass + partially visible caterpillar + internal pulp/seed damage. These symptoms together provide strong evidence of active Helicoverpa armigera infestation.

DIFFICULTY FACED IN CONTROLLING THE PEST:

Controlling tomato fruit borer (Helicoverpa armigera) is challenging because larvae shift from feeding on leaves and flowers to boring into developing fruits, where they are protected from insecticide sprays. Different larval stages may occur simultaneously, making single-spray control difficult.

The pest is also highly mobile and can re-infest crops from nearby fields and alternate hosts. Repeated use of the same insecticide mode of action can reduce effectiveness and contribute to resistance. Therefore, effective management should combine regular scouting, early detection, removal of infested fruits, monitoring of pest activity, insecticide rotation and integrated pest management (IPM) practices.

How addition of plant based / herbal extracts help in effective management?

Plant-based or herbal insecticides can help manage tomato fruit borer (Helicoverpa armigera) by repelling adults, reducing egg laying and discouraging young larvae from feeding. Their effectiveness is greatest during the early stages, before larvae enter and become protected inside fruits.

As part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme, botanical products can complement pest monitoring, pheromone traps, biological control, crop sanitation and selective insecticides. Their performance depends on the botanical active ingredient, formulation, dose and application timing, so they should always be used according to the product label.

LARVEX – Plant-Powered 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.