Biorational Management of Leucinodes Orbonalis Guen. On Brinjal

Brinjal popularly known as egg plant is an important vegetable crop in many countries particularly in India, China, South East Asia, South East Europe and several American countries (Lovelock, 1972). It is grown in almost all states of India and it occupies 2-5% of total cropped area in the country. Brinjal or egg plant is world wide known as aubergine or guinea squash which is most popular and principle vegetable crop hence regarded as "King of vegetables".Egg plant is attacked by number of insect pest's right from seedling stage till harvest.Among these pests, brinjal shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis Guen. is the most obnoxious, detrimental and ubiquitous pest. The caterpillar bores into young growing shoots, petioles, midrib of leaves and fruits leaving no sign of entry. It riddles the plant parts, feeds on internal tissues causing the plant to fade and wither resulting into drying and drooping of growing shoot which is the typical symptom produced. The biopesticides and bio-agents play an important role in insect pest management by their various inhibitory actions on insect physiology and behaviour. They are best alternative to chemical insecticide.