Flowers> Tuberose> Pests

Bud Borer (Helicoverpa armigera):

This pest mainly damages flowers. Eggs are deposited singly on growing spikes. Eggs are
deposited singly on growing spikes. Larvae bore into buds and flowers and feed on them by making holes.

Control: Collection and destruction of damaged buds reduces the damage. Setting up of light traps helps to control population by attracting them. Sprays of Endosulphan 0.07% or Methyl Parathion 0.05% taken up at appearance of eggs on buds and tender foliage controls borer damage. Neem oil 1% also gives considerable protection by repelling various stages of pest.

Aphids:

These are tiny insects, soft bodied, green, deep purple or black in colour. These usually occur in clusters and feed on flower buds and young leaves.

Control: Spraying the infected plants with Malathion @0.1% at an interval of 15 days is effective.

Grasshoppers:

These feed on young leaves and flower buds. Affected plants with damaged foliage and flowers lose their elegance, especially during rainy season.

Control: Dusting the plants with 5% Cythione/DDT/Folidol dust may prevent the damage. Scraping of buds exposes egg masses to natural enemies. Netting prevents damage from hoppers to nurseries. Spraying of Quinalphos @0.05% or Malathion 0.1% or Carbaryl @0.2% protects foliage of newly transplanted crop.

Red Spider Mites:

Mites thrive well under hot and dry conditions, usually on the undersides of the leaves, where these make webs, if allowed to continue. These are usually red or brown in colour and multiply fast. Mites suck sap, which results in the formation of yellow strips and streaks on the foliage. In due course of time, leaves become yellow, silvery or bronze and distorted.

Control: Spraying with Kelthane @ 1.2% concentration is effective to control the mites.

Rodents:

Rodents do considerable damage to tuberose plants in the field by making burrows.
Control: Poison bait is quit helpful in checking rodent menace in the field. Commercial bait by the name, 'Roban' is available in the market and the same may be used effectively.

Thrips:

Thrips feed on leaves, flower stalk and flowers. These suck the sap and damage the whole plant. Sometimes, these are associated with a contagious disease known as 'bunchy top', where the inflorescence is malformed.

Control: Thrips can be controlled by spraying the plant with 0.1% Malathion

Weevils (Myllocerus sp):

The weevils are nocturnal in habit and damaged shoots and leaves. Usually, they feed the edge of the leaves, producing a characteristic notched effect. Larvae feed on roots and tunnel into the bulbs.

Control: Applying BHC dust (10%) in the soil before planting controls larvae.