• Grub feeds on the growing tip, tender stem, leaf petiole, spikes and berry.
• Tunneling of tender stem causes drying up of the shoot.
• The portions of the spikes tunneled by grubs turn black and cause dropping of spikes due to the subsequent rotting.
• Grubs bore into the berries and feed on entire internal contents.
• Exit holes could be seen on dry berries.
• As a result of grub boring, the berries dry up and turn dark in colour.
• They are hollow and crumble when pressed.
• Such hollow berries are called ‘Pollu’ berries.

• The adult beetles feed on all stages of the leaves.
• Most preferred one is tender leaves.
• Due to feeding irregular holes are seen.
• On mature leaves, the beetle scrapes the green matter leaving the layer of upper epidermis.

Berry damage

• Female beetle scoops out shallow holes on growing bud, leaf, petiole, terminal buds, spikes and tender berries and lay eggs singly.
• Freshly laid eggs are yellow and turn brownish yellow.
• Grubs: Pale yellowish in colour.
• Pupa : Pupation takes place in the soil in an earthen cell
• Adult: Beetle is oblong with shiny black elytra and enlarged hind femur

• Regulation of shade in the plantation reduces the population of the pest in the field.
• Tilling the soil at the base of the vines at regular intervals
• Spraying quinalphos (0.05% each) during June/July and September/October or quinalphos (0.05% each) during July and Neemgold (0.6%) (neem-based insecticide) during August, September.
• The undersides of leaves (where adults are generally seen) and spikes are to be sprayed thoroughly