Crop stage : Crop stage: Before sowing Intervention : Precautionary measures to be followed before planting of the crop IPM measures Deep ploughing to expose pupae to sun light and predatory birds Maintain clean field bunds and plant flowering crop plants, viz.. Tagetes spp. Cosmos spp. etc. to attract the natural enemies. Planting Napier grass/hybrid Napier in border and intercropping sorghum with pigeon pea, cow pea in 2:1 to 4:1 ratio is advisable. Crop stage : Sowing and post sowing cultural and mechanical practices Intervention : Better sowing method, pheromone installation, clean cultivation and mechanical measures IPM measures Follow ridge and furrow planting method instead of flat sowing Erect bird perches (@25/ha to encourage insectivorous bird soon after emergence. Nutritional management: Apply recommended dose of NPK. Balanced application of fertilizers helps to reduce the incidence of FAW Clean cultivation by removing weeds which serve as alternate host of FAW. Treat the seed with Cyantraniliprole 19.8% + Thiamethoxam 19.8% FS @ 6 ml /kg seed for protection during seedling stage Crop stage : Seedling stage (0 to 30 days old crop) Intervention : Application of neem based pesticide, bio pesticides and bioagents; minimize use of chemical pesticides. IPM measures Most vulnerable stage, very crucial period for management. Spray neem formulation (Azadiractin. 1500 ppm) @ 5 ml/I or one lit/acre or 5 % Neem seed kernal estract (NSKE) immediately after observation of one moth/trap/day or 10 % plant infestation at papery windows Stage. Hand collection and destruction of larvae and egg in patchy incidence Erection of pheromone traps @15/ac for mass trapping of adults (effectiveness of lure last for 30-45 days) Release of Telenomus remus (4000/ac) or Trichogramma pretiosum @ 50,000/ac at 7 and 14 days after planting. Parasitoid release may be alternated with neem spray at weekly intervals, but not together. For management of early instars, whorl application of Bacillus thuringiensis v kurstaki formulations 2% @ 2g/l or Metarhizium anisopliae or Beauveria bussiana @ 5 g /liter is recommended. If incidence is more than 10%, any of the recommended synthetic pesticides. viz. Spinetoram 11.7% SC @ 0.5 ml/l or Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @0.4 ml/l or Thiamethoxam 12.6 % + Lambada Cyhalothrin 9.5 % ZC @0.25 ml/I is recommended. Crop stage : Early whorl stage (30-50 days) Intervention : Application of neem based pesticide, bio pesticides and bioagents; minimize use of chemical pesticides. IPM measures Very crucial period for management. Spray neem formulation (Azadiractin, 1500 ppm) @ 5 ml/I or one lit/acre or 5% Neem seed kernal extract (NSKE) immediately after observation of one moth/ trap/ day or 10 % plant infestation at early whorl stage. Spray (Whorl application) Bacillus thuringiensis v. kurstaki formulations 2% @2g/l or Metarhizium anisopliae or Beauveria bassiana @ 5 g/ liter at 5-10% infestation. Repeat the spray based on weekly scouting at >10% fresh infestation. If incidence is 10 -20 % any of the recommended synthetic pesticides, viz., Spinetoram 11.7 % SC @ 0.5 ml/l or Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 0.4 ml/l or Thiamethoxam 12.6 % + Lambda cyhalothrin 9.5 % ZC @ 0.25 mI/l is recommended. Crop stage : Late whorl to boot stage window (50-70 day old crop) Intervention : No chemical intervention IPM measures Timely management measures at seedling and early whorl stage reduces FAW damage to greater extent. If incidence is more than 20%, any of the recommended synthetic pesticides, viz. Spinetoram 11.7% SC @ 0.5 ml/l or Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 0.4 ml/l or Thiamethoxam12.6 % + Lambda cyhalothrin 9.5% ZC@ 0.25 ml / l is recommended. Precautions for pesticide use Insecticide sprays should be rotated with another recommended chemical in subsequent sprays to avoid build up of resistance in FAW to insecticides. Enter the field only 48 hours after spraying the pesticide. Harvesting should be done 30 days after last spray of pesticide and the left over fodder may be fed to animals. Source : Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage