The treatment of insect pests and mites on drumsticks (Moringa oleifera) in south India at the moment

Abstract

Understanding the dynamics of insect pests is essential to comprehending their presence on a crop. Drumstick
(Moringa oleifera Lam.) is infested by several insect pests at different stages of the crop's phenophase, which
reduces yield. The current study on the incidence of arthropods was conducted at the ICAR-Indian Institute of
Horticultural Research in Bengaluru, Karnataka, between 2018 and 2022 in order to examine the current
situation of insect pests as well as beneficial arthropods associated with drumsticks and to develop suitable
management strategies for major pests. Leaf-eating caterpillars (Noorda blitealis), aphids (Aphis loti), tea
mosquito bugs (Helopeltis antonii), Bihar hairy caterpillars (Spilosoma obliqua), stem borers (Batocera rubus),
and pod flies (Gitona distigma) were among the arthropods discovered on drumsticks. Coccinellid beetles
(Coccinella septempunctata), spiders (Oxyopes shweta Tikader (Oxyopidae)), Thomisus spp. (Thomisidae),
Nescona spp. and Braconid (Disophrys spp.), and pollinators such small bees (Apis florea Fab) are among the
useful insects. and drumsticks were used to record bumble bees (Bombus spp.). In order to reduce pesticide
residue on the crop, the study's findings would aid in the timely use of suitable pest control techniques.