Sorghum is a staple food crop for millions of people, particularly in regions with semi-arid climates where other crops may struggle to grow. It's used in various culinary applications, including flour for bread, porridge, and as a whole grain in dishes.Sorghum is increasingly being used as a feedstock for biofuel production, particularly ethanol. Its high cellulose content and ability to grow in marginal lands make it an attractive option for bioenergy production.Sorghum is renowned for its drought tolerance, making it a valuable crop in regions prone to water scarcity. Its deep root system allows it to access water deep in the soil, and it can continue growing even during periods of low rainfall.Sorghum's deep root system also helps prevent soil erosion and improves soil structure, making it valuable in conservation agriculture practices.Sorghum, a widely cultivated cereal grain, can face several pest threats that can significantly impact its yield and quality. Here are some common pests of sorghum: Aphids: Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on sap from sorghum plants. They can cause stunted growth, yellowing, and distortion of leaves, and in severe infestations, they can reduce yield. Sorghum Midge (Stenodiplosis sorghicola): Sorghum midge is a small fly that lays eggs in the developing sorghum heads. The larvae feed on the developing grain, causing it to shrivel and reducing yield. Armyworms: Armyworms are caterpillars that can feed on sorghum leaves, causing defoliation. They can also bore into the stalks and feed on the developing grain heads, leading to yield loss. Stem Borers: Several species of moth larvae, such as the sorghum stem borer (Busseola fusca), can bore into sorghum stalks, weakening them and causing lodging. Lodging makes harvesting difficult and can reduce yield. Grasshoppers: Grasshoppers can feed on sorghum leaves, causing defoliation and reducing photosynthetic capacity. Severe infestations can lead to significant yield loss. Sorghum Shoot Fly (Atherigona soccata): The larvae of the sorghum shoot fly feed on the growing points of sorghum plants, leading to dead hearts (failure of the central shoot to emerge) and stunted growth. Sorghum Head Caterpillar (Helicoverpa armigera): The larvae of this moth species feed on sorghum heads, causing damage to developing grains and reducing yield. Sorghum Webworm (Nausinoe geometralis): The larvae of the sorghum webworm feed on sorghum leaves, creating characteristic webbing and skeletonizing the leaves. Severe infestations can reduce photosynthesis and yield. Sorghum Bug (Stenocoris spp.): Sorghum bugs are sap-sucking insects that feed on sorghum plants, causing wilting, yellowing, and reduced yield. Leafhoppers: Leafhoppers are small insects that feed on sorghum sap, causing yellowing, wilting, and reduced plant vigor. They can also transmit plant diseases, further impacting sorghum health and yield. Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, including cultu

1. Pests of Sorghum
By
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD.
Assistant Professor (Entomology)
JSACAT
Affiliated to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

2. Borers pests of sorghum
Great millet, broomcorn, guinea corn, durra,
imphee, jowar, or milo

3. Shoot fly, Atherigona soccata, Muscidae, Diptera
Symptoms
Dead heart
Production of secondary and tertiary tillers
The attacked plants become unhealthy,
stunted and yellow.
Geographical distribution: Southern Europe, North
and East Africa, India and the Middle East
1
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

4. Eggs - white, elongate, flattened and
somewhat boat shaped. Lay eggs on
the lower surface of leaves
Small whitish grey coloured fly
Pupates at the base of the
stem or in soil
Maggot dirty white to
yellow
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Binomics

5. Management
•ETL: 10% dead hearts
•Take up early sowing of sorghum immediately after the receipt of
South West or North East monsoon.
•Seed treatment with imidacloprid 70 WS @ 10 g/kg of seeds
•High seed rate - 12.5 kg/per hectare
•Set up the fish meal trap @ 12/ha
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

6. Stem borer, Chilo partellus, Crambidae, Lepidoptera
Nature of damage
Caterpillar bores into the stem and
feeds on the central shoot.
Infests after one month
Symptoms
Scrapping of leaves by young
caterpillar
Dead heart and bore holes on stem
Elongated windows
Distribution: India, Pakistan, Iran, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, South Africa, Sudan,
Tanzania, Uganda and on Mayotte.
2
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

7. Yellowish brown with a brown head
Flat and oval and look creamy white
Light yellow brown to dark red brown Moth is medium size, straw coloured
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Binomics

8. Management
Mix any of the following granular insecticides with sand to make up
a total quantity of 50 kg and apply in the leaf whorls on the 20th
day of sowing
Phorate 10% G @ 10 kg/ha
Carbaryl 4% G @ 20 kg/ha.
For stem borer, release egg parasitoid Trichogramma chilonis @
2,50,000 /ha coinciding egg laying period.
Three releases at weekly interval are desirable.
Third release is to be accompanied with larval parasitoid Cotesia
flavipes @ 5000/ha
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

9. Pink borer, Sesamia inferens, Noctuidae, Lepidoptera
Nature/Symptoms of damage
Pink larva enters into the stem causing dead heart symptom
Distribution: India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, China, Malaysia,
Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
3
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

10. Bead like laid in rows within the leaf sheath Pinkish brown with dark head
Straw coloured moth with white hind wings
Light yellow brown to dark red brown
Pupate in either stem or soil
Management
Spray phosalone 35%EC at every 20 days interval
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Binomics

11. Defoliators

12. Slug caterpillar, Thosea apierens, Limacodidae,
Lepidoptera
Slug is found to appear in a
severe form in Coimbatore
Nature of damage
• They feed on the
leaves and defoliate.
• Irritation on the
people who work in
the field
• Even cattle do not
relish the fodder
Sri Lanka and India
4
The moth is grey brown
coloured with “V-shaped”
white markings
Larva is green with stinging hairs
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

13. Leaf roller, Marasmia trapezalis, Pyralidae,
Lepidoptera
Distribution: Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali,
Mauritius, India
5
Nature of damage
The leaf roller feeds on the leaf
epidermis.
It causes longitudinal patches on
the leaves
It is a minor pest
Larvae are greenish yellow Adult possess greyish
wings with three dark
transverse stripes
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

14. Leaf beetle, Cryptocephalus schestedti,
Flea beetle, Monolepta signata, Chrysomelidae, Coleoptera
6
Symptom of attack
Shot holes
M. signata: Adult is a
black beetle with four
yellow spots
C. schestedti: This is an
yellow beetle with long
black streak
Distribution: Almost worldwide, More severe in South India
Polyphagous pest
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

15. Red hairy caterpillar, Amsacta albistriga, A. moorei,
Erebidae, Lepidoptera
7
Nature of damage
All the leaves are eaten away by the larvae
leaving the main stem alone.
Larvae are voracious feeders.
Distribution: Amsacata albistriga is predominant in South India
while A. moorie dominates northern parts of the country
Host range: Maize, sorghum, green gram, sesame, pearl
millet, finger millet, groundnut, sunhemp, castor, cotton
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

16. Light yellow spherical eggs are laid in
clusters on the undersurface of the leaves
Hairy caterpillar reddish brown with black
band on either end having long reddish
brown hairs all over the body.
Pupa: Reddish brown and elongate remains under soil for 9-10 months. Adults
emerge after receiving the first monsoon showers.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

17. Amsacta albistriga:
•Forewing- white with brownish streak all
over and yellowish streak along the anterior
margin and head
•Hind wing- white with black markings
Amsacta moorei:
•Forewing - white with brownish streak all
over and reddish streak along the anterior
margin and head
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

18. Ash Weevils, Myllocerus maculosus, Curculionidae,
Coleoptera
8
Adult is greenish
white with dark
longitudinal lines in
elytra
Myllocerus spp. Distribution: India, and Sri Lanka.
Management
Collect and destroy adults. Apply Neem cake
@ 500 kg/ha at the time of last ploughing
Symptom of attack
Notching of leaf margins by adults
Holes in the leaves, roots eaten up, plants
wilt and they come off easily when pulled
Nature of damage
Grubs remain underground and feed on the
root system. Adults they damage the above
ground parts
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

19. Wingless grasshopper, Colemania sphenarioides,
Pyrgomorphidae, Orthoptera
9
Symptom of damage
Defoliation
Nature of damage
Nymph and adult defoliate
the crop Brown colour with a red & black
stripe on the sides
Distribution: Indian Subcontinent
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

20. Sucking pests

21. Shoot bug, Peregrinus maidis, Delphacidae,
Hemiptera
10
Symptom of damage
Plants become unhealthy stunted
and yellow.
Honeydew secreted by the bug
causes growth of sooty mould on
leaves.
The midribs of the leaves turn red
and may dry up subsequently.
Distribution: Widespread throughout most tropical and subtropical regions on earth, including
southern North America, South America, Africa, Australia, Southeast Asia and China.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

22. Egg: Laid inside the leaf tissue and covered with a white waxy substance.
Adult: Yellowish brown to dark brown with translucent wings.
Management
Spray any following insecticides
Dimethoate @ 0.02%,
Phosphomidon @ 250 ml in 450-500 litres water/ha
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

23. Aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis, Aphididae, Hemiptera
Symptom of damage
Yellowing of leaves
Colonies of aphids found in central leaf whorl
The corn leaf aphid is cosmopolitan in distribution throughout the tropics, subtropics and warmer
temperate regions.
11
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

24. Management
Seed treatment with thiamethoxam 70%WS @ 3.5 g/kg seed
Conservation of natural enemies such as coccinellids,
chrysopids and syrphids
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

25. Earhead feeders

26. Sorghum earhead bug, Calocoris angustatus,
Miridae, Hemiptera
12
Symptoms of damage:
Nymphs and adult suck the sap from the
grains when they are in the milky stage.
Grains shrink and turn black in colour and ill
filled (or) chaffy.
Presence of large number of nymphs and
adults are seen on the ear head.
Usually high yielding varieties with compact
earheads are subjected to more infestation
than the loose earheads.
Compact
earhead
Semi-compact
earhead
Loose
earhead
Distribution: It is a pest of sorghum in India, and has also been reported from Kenya
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

27. Adults: Male is green in colour.
Female is green with a brown
margin. Adult measures ~ 6.4
mm in length
Egg: Blue cigar shaped, laid
under the glumes or into the
middle of the florets
Nymphs: Slender,
green in colour
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

28. Mirid bug, Creontiades pallidifer, Miridae, Hemiptera
13
Worldwide distribution and widely distributed across Australia
It is a minor pest.
Nature of damage is similar to
earhead bug
Damage symptoms
Grains become chaffy or spotted
black and get shriveled
Brown/green coloured bug
with a white patch on the
scutellum
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

29. Sorghum midge, Contarinia sorghicola,
Cecidomyiidae, Diptera
14
Symptom of damage
Fly attacks the developing grains
Maggots develop by feeding
ovary
White pupal cases protruding
out from the grains
Chaffy grains with holes
Assumed major pest status after
the introduction of CSH 1 hybrid
in 1965.
Distribution: Worldwide. Africa, Asia, America, Europe
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

30. Adults midges with reddish-orange
abdomens
Maggots of the
sorghum
midge feed on
the ovary,
preventing
normal seed
development
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Eggs inserted
in the glumes

31. Gram caterpillar, Helicoverpa armigera, Noctuidae,
Lepidoptera
15
Symptom of damage
Plants seen defoliated
Boreholes seen on the pods
Nature of damage
Young larva feeds on tender leaves,
buds, flowers, and subsequently it
bores into the pods and feeds on the
seeds with its head and part of the body
only thrust inside, the rest remaining
outside
Widespread in central and southern Europe, temperate Asia, Australia and Africa
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

32. On the forewings, there is speck that forms a V-shaped mark. Hind wings are dull
grey coloured with a black border on the distal end.
Spherical in shape with
sculptures in the form of
longitudinal ribs
The colour varies according to the food intake. Dorsal surface
bears dark broken stripes. Head is reddish-brown. Larva is highly
cannibalistic and readily eats one another.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

33. Management
•ETL: 2 early instar larvae/plant 5-8 eggs/plant
•Pheromone traps for Helicoverpa armigera 12/ha
•Bird perches 50/ha
•Hand picking of grown up larvae and blister beetles
•Ha NPV 1.5 x10 POB/ha with teepol (1 ml/lit.)
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
12

34. Semilooper, Autoba silicula (Eublemma silicula),
Noctuidae, Lepidoptera
16
Extensive webbing of grains and
presence of broken grains can be
seen on the ear head.
ETL: Caterpillar 2 nos. / earhead
Management: Spray two to three rounds of phosalone
750ml in 500 L of water at fortnightly interval.
The adult moth is small
with reddish buff
coloured wings having
wavy lines in centre.
Eggs are laid on spikelet and grain
Larva is pale yellow
5th,6th, 10th abdominal
segments posses proleges
Oman, Afganistan, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Combodia, Malasiya
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

35. Plant bug, Dolycoris indicus, Pentatomidae,
Hemiptera
17
Distribution: India - Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha
Both nymphs and adults suck the sap from
seeds causing shrivelling symptoms
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

36. Stink bug, Nezara viridula, Pentatomidae, Hemiptera
18
These pests are found on the
earheads in the milky stage.
The injury is only very little.
Distribution: India, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

37. Earhead web worm, Cryptoblabes gnidiella,
Crambidae, Lepidoptera
19
The caterpillar causes damage by
constructing webs on maize cobs
and feeding on the flowers and
grains.
Adult is purplish in colour with
brown markings
Native to the Mediterranean Basin and naturalized in countries of Africa,
Asia, Europe, Oceania, North America, South America and the Caribbean
Managed with pesticides based
on Bacillus thuringiensis.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)