Infestation of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) on Bajra, Pennisetum glaucum (L) in Anand district of Gujarat, India

Abstract

A heavy incidence of Helicoverpa armigera was noticed on bajra crop during flowering as well as milking stage at Borsad taluka of Anand district in Gujarat. The incidence of larva/ear head was observed during the survey which showed more than four larvae per plant from the different village area during summer season. Due to infestation of ear head worm in bajra, the flowering and ear heads stages are heavily damaged which leads to the pollens and seeds are feeding by the early and later instar larvae (3rd to 5th instar larvae) of H. armigera. The bajra crop was showed reduction in grain formation and yield of crop as compared to earlier years as per the farmers view. During these summer season, the heavy infestation of H. armigera in bajra crop to almost all the areas of Borsad taluka of Anand district which showed habitat and behavioral change in the rigid noctuid pest.