Pest: Pod borers

Blue butterfly caterpillar

Lampides boeticus

The adult is a blue butterfly, diurnal in habit. Eggs are laid singly or in groups of 2-3 on flower buds, green pods, shoots and leaves. Egg,larval and pupal duration last for 4-7;9-27 and 7- 19 days respectively. The larva is flat and pale green or violet in colour. Pupation takes place on the plant.

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Symptoms

  • The larva burrows in to tender pods feeding on seeds or into the buds destroying them.
  • The larva has the habit of remaining partially exposed at the opening of its burrow and is attended by ants.
  • The ants are attracted by the secretions produced by the larva.