Cut Worms (Agrotis segetum)

Symptoms

• Female moths lay their eggs near the soil surface and the hatched caterpillars feed on the young stems of the plant at night.
• Large caterpillars cut and destroy the stem of the plant.
• They destroy the corms and inflorescences.

Management

• A good ploughing of the soil in summer helps flush out the hidden worms.
• Neem oil and garlic mixture can be sprayed on the plants (20 ml neem oil +20g garlic powder +5 g bar soap in one litre of water and mix well).