Biological Control of Insect Pests of Small Cardamom

Abstract

Insect pest attack is a major threat to cardamom cultivation in India. About fifty six species of insect pests are known to cause damages to various plant parts of cardamom during different growth stages of the crop (Nair, 1975). However, only a few insect pests cause serious damage resulting in economic loss of the crop. These are thrips (Sciothrips cardamomi Ramk.), shoot, panicle and capsule borer (Conigothes punctiferalis Guen.), hairy caterpillar, (Eupterote spp), the root grubs (Baselepta fulvicorne Jacoby) and white flies (Dìaleuroides cardamomi). While occurrences of hairy caterpillars and white flies are only sporadic, the attacks by thrips, shoot borers and root grubs are regular features in all cardamom growing localities. These pests affect both the quality and quantity of the crop in addition to decrease in plant growth and vigour. White fly and hairy caterpillar attacks at times become massive, devastating large areas of plantations. But the regularly occurring thrips, borers, root grubs, shoot flies etc. are often found in nurseries and plantations causing varying degrees of crop damage.