Spodoptera litura, commonly known as tobacco caterpillar or tobacco cutworm, is a notorious pest that poses a significant threat to cotton cultivation by impacting crop yield and quality. This polyphagous insect feeds voraciously on cotton leaves leading to defoliation and reduced yields. With its ability to complete multiple generations within a season and the challenge of insecticide resistance, effective management strategies are crucial. This article will explore the impact of tobacco caterpillars on cotton crops and various management measures to tackle their infestations.
The larva of the tobacco caterpillar can be identified by its pale greenish color with dark markings and adult moths have wavy white markings on a brown forewing. The larvae feed mainly during the night and seek protection by taking refuge in the soil during the day. Warm and humid climate, monocropping and late sowing are some of the favorable conditions for tobacco caterpillar infestation.
Tobacco caterpillar infests the cotton crop by feeding on the leaves, leading to defoliation and skeletonization of leaves.
Scientific Name: Spodoptera litura
The exact distribution of Tobacco caterpillar in India is not well documented. However, they are known pests of cotton plants and are likely all cotton growing regions of the country.
Effective management of Tobacco caterpillars requires a combination of cultural, Physical, Mechanical, biological and chemical control measures.
Chemical measures include the application of commercial insecticides to control tobacco cutworms. Insecticides that can be used to control are mentioned below,
Product Name | Technical Content | Dosage |
Coragen Insecticide | Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC | 0.3 ml/lit of water |
Katyayani Chakrawarti | Thiamethoxam 12.6% + Lambda cyhalothrin 9.5% ZC | 0.4 ml/lit water |
Largo Insecticide | Spinetoram 11.7% SC | 0.9 ml/lit water |
Fluton Insecticide | Flubendiamide 20% WG | 0.5 gm/lit water |
Godrej Gracia Insecticide | Fluxametamide 10% EC | 0.8 ml/lit water |
Starclaim Insecticide | Emamectin benzoate 5% SG | 0.5 gm/lit water |
Keefun Insecticide | Tolfenpyrad 15% EC | 2 ml/lit water |
Benevia Insecticide | Cyantraniliprole 10.26% OD | 1.8 ml/lit water |
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