Kisanwala

23 Jun 2025​
4 min read
Groundnut Pest Identification and Easy Management Practices.
Aphids (Aphis craccivora) Pest:
Aphids pest

Symptoms:

– Yellowing and curling of leaves
– Sticky honeydew secretion
– Stunted growth
– Leaf mottling and wilting
These symptoms are commonly associated with infestations by sucking pests such as aphids or whiteflies, which may also act as vectors for viral diseases. Honeydew secretion can encourage the growth of sooty mould, reducing photosynthesis and plant vigor.

Chemical & Dosage (per acre):

Imidacloprid 17.8% SL @ 100 ml/acre – Confidor, Admire

Mode of Application:

Apply as a foliar spray on infested plants.

Jassid / Leafhopper (Amrasca biguttula biguttula) Pest:
Jassid / Leafhopper (Empoasca kerri)

Symptoms:

– Leaf tip yellowing in a distinct V-shape (hopper burn)
– Curling and crumbling of leaves
– Whitening of veins and chlorotic patches
– Stunted plants and scorched crop appearance
These are classic symptoms of jassid (Empoasca kerri) infestation in groundnut. Damage begins with whitening of veins on the underside of leaves, followed by chlorotic (yellow) patches, especially at the tips. Severe attacks cause V-shaped necrosis (hopper burn), leaf curling/crumbling, and an overall scorched, stunted crop[1][2][3][5][7].

Chemical & Dosage (per acre):

Thiamethoxam 25% WG @ 40 g/acre – Actara, Plethora
(Thiamethoxam is a recommended neonicotinoid insecticide for jassid management in several sources; consult local label and guidelines for exact dosage[1].)

Mode of Application:

Apply as a foliar spray on the crop canopy for effective jassid control. Ensure thorough coverage of both upper and lower leaf surfaces for best results[1][3][5].

Thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis)Pest:
Thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis) Pest

Symptoms:

– Silvery streaks and white patches on leaves
– Leaf curling, wrinkling, and distortion
– Reduced plant growth and stunting
– Necrotic (brown) patches on lower leaf surfaces
– Premature leaf drop and brittle, unfolded leaves

Chemical & Dosage (per acre):

Fipronil 5% SC @ 400 ml/acre – Regent, Osheen[6].

Mode of Application:

Spray on crop foliage for effective thrips management. Ensure thorough coverage of both upper and lower leaf surfaces, focusing especially on younger and newly emerging leaves where thrips populations are typically highest

Leaf Miner (Aproaerema modicella) Pest:
Leaf Miner (Aproaerema modicella) Pest.

Symptoms:

– Irregular mines and brown blotches on leaves, often near the midrib
– Drying and dropping of affected leaves
– Webbing of leaflets and withering of plants
– Severely infested fields may appear burnt from a distance

Chemical & Dosage (per acre):

Deltamethrin 2.8% EC @ 500 ml/acre – Decis, Deltamethrin

Mode of Application:

Apply as a foliar spray on affected areas for effective leaf miner control.

Tobacco Caterpillar (Spodoptera litura)Pest:

Symptoms:

– Defoliation and irregular holes in leaves
– Skeletonised leaves and severe leaf loss
– Feeding damage on pods and flowers
– Stunted growth and “grazed” crop appearance
– Presence of greenish or black frass (excreta) on leaves and soil

Chemical & Dosage (per acre):

Methomyl 40% SP @ 850 g/acre – Lannate, Methomyl

Mode of Application:

Spray on crop foliage for effective control of tobacco caterpillar.

Red Hairy Caterpillar(Amsacta albistriga) Pest:
Red Hairy Caterpillar(Amsacta albistriga) Pest

Symptoms:

Severe defoliation; only veins, midribs, and stems remain
Leaves scraped and skeletonized, giving a papery appearance
Complete crop loss if infestation is severe
Caterpillars feed gregariously and can move in large clusters from field to field

Chemical & Dosage (per acre):

Quinalphos 25% EC @ 1000 ml/acre – Ekalux, Quinalphos

Mode of Application:

Spray on infested areas for effective control of the red hairy caterpillar.

White Grub(Holotrichia serrata)Pest:
White Grub(Holotrichia serrata)Pest

Symptoms:

– Wilting and yellowing of plants in patches
– Plant death and easy uprooting
– Roots are eaten or pruned, resulting in a reduced root system
– Grubs (C-shaped, white larvae) are found near the root zone
– Plants may die back and show a poor stand in the field

Chemical & Dosage (per acre):

Chlorpyrifos 20% EC @ 1125 ml/acre (soil drench) – Dursban, Chlorpyrifos

Mode of Application:

Apply as a soil drench at sowing or early crop stage for effective white grub control.

Termite(Odontotermes obesus)Pest:
Termite(Odontotermes obesus)Pest

Symptoms:

– Wilting of plants and a patchy crop stand
– Tunneling in pods and roots
– Hollow or damaged pods
– Plants may be easily uprooted and show poor growth

Chemical & Dosage (per acre):

Thiamethoxam 75% SG @ 125 g/acre (soil application) – Cruiser, Thiamethoxam

Mode of Application:

Apply as a soil application at sowing for effective termite management.

Pod Borer(Helicoverpa armigera)Pest:
Pod Borer(Helicoverpa armigera)

Symptoms:

Bore holes in pods, often with visible larvae partly outside the pod
Kernel damage and feeding on developing seeds
Reduced yield due to seed destruction
Presence of granular frass (excreta) near affected pods
In severe cases, defoliation and damaged flowers may also be observed

Chemical & Dosage (per acre):

Emamectin Benzoate 5% SG @ 100 g/acre – Proclaim, Emamectin

Mode of Application:

Spray at the flowering or pod stage for effective pod borer management.

Leaf Webber(Stomopteryx subsecivella)Pest:

Symptoms:

– Leaves webbed together by silk, with larvae feeding inside the webs
– Reduced photosynthesis and stunted plant growth
– Drying, browning, and premature dropping of affected leaves
– Severe infestations can lead to visible crop damage and poor yield

Chemical & Dosage (per acre):

Phenthoate 50% EC @ 1000 ml/acre – Sumithion, Phenthoate

Mode of Application:

Spray on affected plants for effective leaf webber control.

Field Rat(Bandicota bengalensis)Pest:

Symptoms:

– Burrows and holes in the field.
– Damaged and hollow pods
– Cut and wilted plants
– Tunneling in pods and roots
– Patchy crop stands and plant death

Chemical & Dosage (per acre):

Bromadiolone 0.005% RB (bait) – Rodenticide Cake

Mode of Application:

Place bait in burrows for effective field rat management.

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