Insect Pests of Pigeonpea and Their Management

Abstract

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) is an important crop in semi-arid tropical and subtropical farming systems, providing high quality vegetable protein, animal feed, and firewood. Insect pests feeding on flowers, pods, and seeds are the most important biotic constraint affecting pigeonpea yields. This review summarizes the biology and ecology of the three most important groups of pests: flower- and pod-feeding Lepidoptera, pod-sucking Hemiptera, and seed-feeding Diptera and Hymenoptera. Recent research investigating the complex interactions among pigeonpea, its key pests, and their natural enemies is also reviewed. These relationships have implications on the pest status of individual species and on possible control strategies. Pigeonpea pest management research has focused until recently on the identification and development of resistant cultivars and on chemical control. Future research must focus on environmentally sound pest management strategies that are compatible with the needs and limitations of pigeonpea farmers. Several priority areas for research are suggested.

Diversity of Harmful and Beneficial Insect Fauna in Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.)) Ecosystem in Tamil Nadu, India

“…The most serious pests are those that attack the reproductive structures including buds, flowers and pods (Shanower et al, 1999). The field infestation of bruchids Callosobruchus spp.…”

UJI EFEKTIVITAS INSEKTISIDA TERHADAP HAMA Maruca testulalis PADA BIBIT MALAPARI (Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre)

“…Pertumbuhan malapari di tingkat persemaian terganggu oleh serangan hama penggerek polong (Maruca testulalis) yang kerusakannya cukup serius. Hama ini dilaporkan menyerang polong tanaman kacang-kacangan seperti kacang kedele, tunggak, kacang gude, dan kacang panjang yang ditanam di daerah tropis sampai daerah sub (Abate & Ampofo, 1996;Indiati, 2007;Jackai, 1995;Shanower, Romeis, & Minja, 1999). Lebih lanjut dilaporkan bahwa M. testulalis pada tanaman kacang panjang memakan tunas, bunga, daun muda dan polong muda, terkadang larva juga memakan daun dan batang yang lembut (Aldy, 2010).…”

Genomic and host range studies of Maruca vitrata nucleopolyhedrovirus

“…The legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a pantropical pest of legume crops, particularly cowpea (Jackai, 1995), pigeonpea (Shanower et al, 1999) and beans (Abate & Ampofo, 1996). In the 1990s, infestation rates reached 50-80 % for cowpea in West Africa (Afun et al, 1991;Dreyer et al, 1994).…”