Cumbu, also known as pearl millet or bajra, is a widely cultivated grain crop primarily grown in regions with semi-arid climates. Like any other crop, cumbu is susceptible to various pests that can significantly affect its yield and quality. Some of the common pests that attack cumbu include: Stem Borers: These are the larvae of various moth species that bore into the stem of the plant, leading to wilting, lodging, and ultimately reducing yield. Shoot Fly: The shoot fly lays eggs in the leaf axils, and the hatched larvae feed on the developing shoots, causing dead hearts and stunted growth. Aphids: These small insects feed on the sap of the plant, causing stunted growth, yellowing of leaves, and reducing overall vigor. Termites: Termites can attack cumbu plants, particularly in dryland areas, by feeding on roots and causing wilting and lodging. Grasshoppers and Locusts: These voracious feeders can cause significant damage to cumbu crops by consuming foliage, leading to reduced photosynthesis and yield loss. Armyworms: Larvae of certain moth species, such as the African armyworm, can defoliate cumbu plants, leading to yield loss if not controlled. Leafhoppers: These insects suck sap from the leaves, causing yellowing, wilting, and reduced plant vigor. White Grubs: The larvae of certain beetle species feed on the roots of cumbu plants, leading to reduced nutrient uptake and stunted growth. Mites: Various species of mites can infest cumbu plants, causing stippling on leaves, reduced photosynthesis, and overall reduced plant health. Thrips: Thrips feed on leaves and flowers, causing stippling, distortion, and discoloration of plant tissues. To manage these pests, integrated pest management (IPM) strategies are often employed, which may include cultural practices, biological control, and judicious use of pesticides when necessary. Crop rotation, planting resistant varieties, maintaining proper plant nutrition, and timely scouting for pest presence are important components of pest management in cumbu cultivation.

1. Pests of Pearl millet/
Cumbu/ Bajra
By
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD.
Assistant Professor (Entomology)
JSACAT
Affiliated to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

2. Borers pests of Pearl millet/ Cumbu/
Bajra

3. Shoot fly, Atherigona approximata, 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
Shot holes on leaves caused 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% CG10 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. Leaf beetle, Oulema downsei, Chrysomelidae,
Coleoptea
4
Distribution: Oriental regions
Nature of damage
Grub and adult scrape the green matter of leaves
Symptoms
Whitening and ultimate drying
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

13. Black hairy caterpillar, Estigmene lactinea, Erebidae,
Lepidoptera
5
Distribution: Malaysia, Myanmar, South Korea, Taiwan. It is found in North America, and southwards
from Mexico to Colombia.
Adult: Large white moth with
crimson markings on head,
body and wings
Larva: Thick with
black head and hairs
all over the body
Nature of damage
Larva feeds on the leaves
Symptom of damage
Defoliation
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

14. Wingless grasshopper, Neorthacris simulans,
Pyrgomorphidae, Orthoptera
6
Symptom of
damage
Defoliation
Adult: Greenish brown colour with a red
stripe on the sides; without wings.
Nature of
damage
Nymph and
adult defoliate
the crop
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

15. Earhead feeders

16. Grain midge, Geromyia penniseti, Cecidomyiidae,
Diptera
7
Light pink,
fragile fly
Nature of damage
Maggot attacks developing grains and feed on the ovaries.
As a result of their feeding grain formation is affected and in
case of heavy infestation entire head appear to be aborted
Symptom of damage
Grainless glumes with white pupal case attached to the tip
of the spikelet
It is found in Africa and South Asia
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

17. Semilooper, Autoba silicula (Eublemma silicula),
Noctuidae, Lepidoptera
8
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.
Eggs are laid on spikelet and grain
Larva is pale yellow.
Oman, Afganistan, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Combodia, Malasiya
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

18. Stink bug, Nezara viridula, Pentatomidae, Hemiptera
9
These pests are found on the
earheads in the milky stage.
The injury is only very little.
Distribution: Tropical and subtropical regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)