Symptoms of damage:

• Internodes constricted and shortened with a number bore holes and frass in the nodal region
• Affected tissues reddened
• Dead heart symptoms
• Malformed and weakened internodes

Identification of the pest:

• Egg: Eggs are flat, lengthy white in colour that are found in patches of 9-11 inside the leaf in veins
• Larva : four violet or pink stripes and light brown head
• Adult : Pale brown with white hind wings

Management:

• Release egg parasitoid, Trichogramma chilonis at the rate of 2.5 cc/release/ha. Six releases fifteen days interval starting from fourth month onwards will be necessary
• During rainy weather and when ants are present, release the parasite through musquito net covered plastic disposable cups
• Detrash the crop on the 150 th and 210 th days after planting