Pests Of Jatropha

Jatropha Curcas is acquiring importance commercially as the need of nonrenewable fuel sources increases enormously and likewise jatropha curcas is an environmentally friendly energy plantation. Plantation of this plant is considered to be an excellent fuel substitute and it is also extremely affordable compared to other fuels. Recently, Jatropha is facing some trouble with bugs and illness. The pests are categorized into two ranges: Pest that impact young plants and Pest that affect matured plants.


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


Agrotis ipsilon: It is commonly referred to as Cut worm. This bug affects the seedlings and young jatropha curcas plants. If the plant is impacted by the cutworm, the stem gets cut nearer to the soil surface area and this will shrunk the plant completely.


Control: This bug can be managed by picking the larva discovered around the plants or by mixing the bran, sawdust with insecticides.


Scarabaeid Beetle: This pest damages the root of the young plant. Initially, the larva consumes the organic matters present in the soil and then concerns the root. The larva attack might eliminate the entire plant.


Control: The plant with great resistance power can overcome the pest. For heavy attack, insecticides with parts carbosulfan and carbofuran can be used to eliminate the insect.


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


Control: Insecticides are used to control the bugs.


Grasshopper: This prevails bug found in several plants. Valanga nigricornis and Locusta migratoria widely assaults the plant. The pest frequently attacks the young plant.


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


Pest observed in fully grown plants:


Pest of Stem: Ostrinia furnacalis, Xyleborus spp.


and Xyleborus: This pest harms the Jatropha stem and it is commonly seen in Indonesia. The stem assaulted by this insect generally drop. The existence can be identified by the larva penetration hole at the stem.


Control: The Insecticide typically utilized to manage this pest is carbofuran.


Pest of leaf: The typical 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 other words duration. The quality and yield of the seeds get minimized due to the heavy attack.


Control: This can be controlled by selecting the old larvae around the surface and throwing away the attacked leaves.


Needle Caterpillar: This caterpillar is covered with spines and produces a burning feeling when allowed to contact with skin as it produces particular chemical compound. Initially the insect crowded in the leaf and after that spread all over the plant when it ages.


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


Leaf Hopper: This pest is found primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. The pest targets the leaf and sucks all the nutrients of the leaf and gets curls at the tip. Later, the entire leaf dry and pass away.


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


Mite: Mite also assaults the leaf and makes the whole plant weak. The insect presence can be identified when the leaf become yellowish, diminishes, turns red and drop. The bug can likewise be spread out through fallen leaves.


Control: Some preventive procedures can be done like correct sanitation and burning the fallen leaves. Heavy attack can be dealt with by spraying insecticides.


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


Chrysocoris javanus, Tip borer caterpillar.


Stink Bug: Sting bug is a major pest which assaults the plant during blossom duration so the crop yield completely falls down. This insect is seen around the tropical region.


The hazardous enzyme in the plant diminishes the entire plant.


Control: Insecticides recommended for this insect is chlorfluazuron, diflubenzuron, alfamethrin, and lamda cyhalothrin.


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


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