Pests Of Jatropha

Jatropha Curcas is gaining importance commercially as the need of nonrenewable fuel sources increases significantly and likewise Jatropha is an environment-friendly energy plantation. Plantation of this plant is considered to be an excellent fuel replacement and it is likewise really economical compared to other fuels. Recently, Jatropha is facing some trouble with insects and diseases. The bugs are classified into 2 ranges: Pest that affect young plants and Pest that affect developed plants.

Young plant pests: Cutworm, Scarabeid Beetle, Army worm, Grasshopper.

Agrotis ipsilon: It is typically understood as Cut worm. This bug affects the seedlings and young Jatropha plants. If the plant is affected by the cutworm, the stem gets cut nearer to the soil surface and this will diminished the plant completely.

Control: This insect can be controlled by picking the larva found around the plants or by mixing the bran, sawdust with insecticides.

Scarabaeid Beetle: This pest destroys the root of the young plant. Initially, the larva consumes the raw materials present in the soil and after that concerns the root. The larva attack might kill the entire plant.

Control: The plant with great resistance power can get rid of the pest. For heavy attack, insecticides with elements carbosulfan and carbofuran can be used to kill the bug.

Army worm: Spodoptera litura presence can be identified by biting in the leaves. The severe infection might entirely eliminate the plants.

Control: Insecticides are utilized to manage the insects.

Grasshopper: This is common bug found in several plants. Valanga nigricornis and Locusta migratoria extensively attacks the plant. The insect frequently attacks the young plant.

Control: The insecticides used betacyfluthrin, cypermethrin, thiodicarb, MIPC, and fipronil.

Pest observed in fully grown plants:

Pest of Stem: Ostrinia furnacalis, Xyleborus spp.

Ostrinia furnacalis and Xyleborus: This insect harms the Jatropha stem and it is commonly seen in Indonesia. The stem assaulted by this bug typically fall down. The existence can be determined by the larva penetration hole at the stem.

Control: The Insecticide generally used to control this pest is carbofuran.

Pest of leaf: The common bugs observed are leaf caterpillar, Neetle caterpillar, Leaf hopper, Mite, Ear corn caterpillar.

Leaf Caterpillar: This pest can eat all the leaves of the plant in short duration. The quality and yield of the seeds get minimized due to the heavy attack.

Control: This can be managed by picking the old larvae around the surface area and discarding the attacked leaves.

Needle Caterpillar: This caterpillar is covered with spinal columns and produces a burning sensation when enabled to call with skin as it produces specific chemical substance. Initially the bug crowded in the leaf and then spread all over the plant when it gets older.

Control: Manually, the insect can be eliminated only by soaking it in water or kerosene. The heavy attack can be controlled by spraying organophosphate insecticides.

Leaf Hopper: This insect is discovered mainly in tropical and subtropical areas. The pest targets the leaf and sucks all the nutrients of the leaf and gets curls at the idea. Later, the entire leaf dry and pass away.

Control: The heavy attack can be managed by using insecticides like imidachloprid, beta cyfluthrin or carbosulfan.

Mite: Mite also the leaf and makes the entire plant weak. The bug existence can be determined when the leaf become yellowish, shrinks, reddens and drop. The pest can also be spread out through fallen leaves.

Control: Some preventive measures can be simulated proper sanitation and burning the fallen leaves. Heavy attack can be treated by spraying insecticides.

Some terrible bug which assaults flower and fruit are, Stink bug (Nezara viridula)

Chrysocoris javanus, Tip borer caterpillar.

Stink Bug: Sting bug is a major insect which attacks the plant during blossom period so the crop yield totally falls down. This insect is seen around the tropical region.

The poisonous enzyme in the plant shrinks the whole plant.

Control: Insecticides advised for this pest is chlorfluazuron, diflubenzuron, alfamethrin, and lamda cyhalothrin.

Tip borer caterpillar: The pests frequently occurs attacks the plant in flowering season and this insect is seen commonly in tropical areas. The female pest laid the eggs on the tender part of the plant and the young larvae feed the young fruits and plant tips.

Control: Manually, the attacked seeds are suggested to burn. The insecticides like monocrotophos and bensultap are sprayed at the blooming season.