This year, many regions that traditionally grow grain and cotton have seen a shift in crop patterns. Due to the low income from cotton cultivation last year, a significant number of cotton fields have been replanted with rice or lotus roots. This change is especially noticeable in townships with good water access near urban areas. For instance, in Changxingpu Village, Qidong Farm, Hanchuan City, Hubei Province, there were over 1,200 acres of cotton fields previously. This year, about 600 acres have been converted into lotus root fields, while more than 1,000 acres have remained as cotton plots.
Despite this shift, farmers are still facing challenges from pests such as the golden worm and Spodoptera litura. Although some farmers are working under contracts with large Anhui-based agricultural companies, they remain concerned about the damage these pests can cause. The golden worm mainly affects the roots and rhizomes of the lotus plant, while Spodoptera litura damages the leaves, flowers, and young rhizomes. Both pests can significantly reduce both yield and quality.
The golden worm, also known as the mantis, is a small beetle measuring about 6 mm in length. It lays eggs in clusters of 20-30, often covered in a white, gelatinous substance. The larvae are white with swollen thoraxes and abdomens, resembling cocoons. Their presence causes blackened roots, dark spots on the rhizomes, yellowing leaves, and stunted growth. Spodoptera litura, on the other hand, is a multi-generation pest whose larvae feed on the lotus roots, sometimes completely consuming the leaves in severe infestations.
To manage the golden worm, several measures can be taken. Agricultural practices like crop rotation and weed removal are essential. Chemical control should be applied in stages. Before the buds appear, granules such as terrin (0.4–1 kg per mu), 40% phoxim EC (70 ml per mu), or 50% phoxim granules (2.5–3 kg per mu mixed with 30 kg of fine soil) can be used. Farmers should choose the most suitable option based on local conditions. Additionally, applying 50 kg of lime per acre when planting lotus roots can help. During the adult stage, 90% trichlorfon crystals (100–150 g per acre) mixed with fine soil and applied in the early morning is another effective method.
For Spodoptera litura, early intervention is key. Farmers should manually remove egg clusters and capture newly hatched larvae to prevent further spread. When the larvae begin to appear, chemical sprays such as 50% phoxim emulsion diluted 500 times, 80% dichlorvos emulsion diluted 800–1000 times, or 2.5% kungfu emulsifiable concentrate diluted 4000 times can be used. Alternatively, 2.5% A-dimensional saline dispersible granules (10 g per mu in 15 L water), 1% methylamino avermectin benzoate (10 kg per mu in 15 L water), or 5% A-dimensional saline dispersible granules (5 g per mu in 15 L water) are also effective. These treatments should be applied before the third instar stage for optimal results.
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