Orugas o gusanos
Gray worms: what they are, how they originate, and how to eliminate them effectively
Gray Worms
Agrotis Ssp.
Pathogen:
Insect
Type:
Risk to the plant:
HIGH
DESCRIPTION
WHO CAUSES IT?
Agrotis spp., commonly known as gray grubs, are noctuid lepidopterans that affect a wide variety of crops, including celery. These insects go through several stages of development: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Adult females lay their eggs in the soil or at the base of plants, which hatch within a few days. The larvae, known as gray worms, emerge and remain in the soil during the day, feeding at night. During their larval development, which can last several weeks, they go through several molts and become larger and darker. Mature larvae burrow into the soil to pupate, pupating in an earthen cocoon. The pupal period can last several weeks depending on the temperature, after which the adults emerge to complete the cycle. Gray worms can have several generations a year, especially in warm climates.
SYMPTOMS
The disease caused by Agrotis spp., known as gray worms, affects celery significantly. The larvae feed on the roots, stems and leaves of the plant, causing extensive damage that can lead to the death of the plant. The first signs of infestation include wilting and weak plants, followed by the appearance of holes in the leaves and damage to the base of the stems. As the infestation progresses, the plants may be completely destroyed.
- Withered and weak plants.
- Holes in the leaves.
- Damage to the base of the stems.
- Damaged roots.
- Complete destruction of plants in severe infestations.
- Death of the plant in extreme cases.
TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
15-25°C
60-80%
HOW IS IT SPREAD?
Direct contact, Contaminated plant material, Agricultural machinery, Transport of infected plants, Dispersal of adults, Soil movement
HOW TO REMOVE IT?
Home remedies
There are no home treatments
Chemical treatments
• DELTAMETHRIN 1.57% [SC] P/V
• DELTAMETHRIN 10% [EC] P/V
• DELTAMETHRIN 2.5% [EC] P/V
• LAMBDA CYHALOTHRIN 0.4% [GR] P/P
• TEFLUTRIN 0.5% [GR] P/P
Treatments allowed in organic farming
• LAMBDA CYHALOTHRIN 0.4% [GR] P/P
Insect allies
PREDATORY MITES
LADYBUGS
LACEWINGS
PARASITIC WASPS
HOVERFLIES OR PARASITIC FLIES
PREDATORY BUGS
There are no natural allies
Mycodiplosis oidii (predatory mosquito)
EFFECTIVE PRODUCTS TO ELIMINATE THIS DISEASE
- Regularly monitor crops for early signs of infestation.
- Use pheromone traps to capture and monitor the adult population.
- Implement crop rotation to interrupt the life cycle of gray worms.
- Apply treatments with entomopathogenic nematodes to control larvae in the soil.
- Encourage the presence of natural enemies such as birds and rodents that feed on larvae.
- Maintain adequate field hygiene by eliminating crop residues and weeds.
- Avoid excess watering that can favor conditions for the pest.
- Carry out phytosanitary treatments with specific insecticides when the first signs of infestation are detected.
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