Measures to control Borer pest in Cardamom Crop

Borers are a destructive group of insects that infest a wide variety of plants, including trees, shrubs, vegetables, and fruits. They are particularly damaging in their larval stage, which can last for several years. During this time, borers tunnel inside the plant, feeding on its internal tissues. This can cause extensive damage, weaken the plant, and make it more susceptible to disease. This moth lays eggs on the tender parts of the cardamom plant. The larvae that hatch from these eggs are the ones that cause the damage. They bore into different parts of the plant, including the shoots, panicles, and capsules.

• Temperature: Most borers prefer warm weather. In temperate climates, borer activity typically increases in the spring and summer months as temperatures rise.
• Moisture: While some borers prefer dry conditions, others thrive in wetter environments. However, even borers that don't require excessive moisture can benefit from increased rainfall as it can stress apple trees, making them more susceptible to attack.

• Sawdust around the base of the tree (from root borer activity)
• Wilting or stunted growth
• Leaves that are smaller or paler than normal
• Holes in the bark or branches
• Sap oozing from wounds on the tree