The shoot fly is a major pest of Cardamom, sorghum, pearl millet, and other graminaceous crops. The adult shoot fly is a small, grayish fly about 3-5 mm long. The female lays her eggs on the leaves or stems of the young plants. The eggs hatch into maggots, which burrow into the stem and feed on the growing point. This damage causes the central shoot of the plant to die, a condition known as "dead heart."
Identification:
- Adult flies are small, with yellow bodies and black markings.
- Eggs are white, cigar-shaped, and laid between the leaf sheath and pseudostem.
- Larvae (maggots) are white and bore into the central growing shoots.
- Infested plants will display "dead heart" symptoms, where the terminal leaf dries up.
Environmental favorable factors for pests/Diseases:
- High humidity: Shoot flies thrive in humid conditions. Humid weather conditions favor the survival of the eggs and pupae of shoot flies.
- Moderate temperatures: Shoot flies prefer moderate temperatures ranging from 20 to 27°C. Cardamom is cultivated in places with cool climates and moderate temperatures.
Symptoms of Pest/Disease:
- Dead heart: The central growing shoot of the young cardamom plant dies, leaving a withered and collapsed appearance.
- Stunted growth: Affected plants may appear stunted and fail to grow at their normal rate.
- Wilting: The leaves of infested plants may wilt and appear dry, even when there is sufficient moisture in the soil.
- Presence of maggots: If you split open an affected shoot, you may find white or yellowish maggots feeding inside.
Measures to control Pests/Diseases:
| Products | Technical Name | Dosage |
| DOCTER | Thiamethoxam 30 % FS | 35-40 ml / 15 Ltr. Water |
| CHLORO 20 | Chloropyriphos 20 % EC | 500 to 1200 ML Per Ac |
| FANTASY | Fipronil 5 % SC | 400-500 ml per Acre |
