Biology and IPM Practices for Pod Fly in Pigeonpea

Abstract

Pigeonpea Cajanus cajan (L.) Millp. is an important pulse crop, which is widely cultivated throughout India. It is also known by names like arhar, red gram or tur, grown in Kharif season of tropics and sub-tropics. The pod fly, Melanagromyza obtusa Malloch (Diptera: Agromyzidae) is small black fly, lay eggs through the wall of young pod, and is of economic importance only in the larval stages and is the major pest in medium and long duration varieties. Partially matured pods are used for egg laying than the tender or fully matured pods. Pod fly being an internal feeder, lay eggs inside the immature pod. The eggs hatch and developing maggot feeds on the developing immature seeds by making tunnels and pupate. Thus making the seeds unfit for human consumption as well as seed purpose.