Spotted Pod Borer

Catalogue Type

Plant Pests Catalogue

Scientific Name

Maruca testulalis

Family

Crambidae

Distinguishing Characters

Caterpillar light brown in colour with irregular brownish black dorsal, lateral and ventral spotsAdults are medium sized slender moths.
Hind wings are semi hyaline white with a brown distal patch.

Host Crop

Beans, peas, castor, ground nut, tobacco

Order

Lepidoptera

Photo of Insect

Photo of Damaged Crop

Description

Pods become malformed .

Caterpillars feed on reproductive parts of the flower.

Later they web the inflorescence with leaves, pods and then feed within.