Fruit borer in Bhendi

Are you finding ugly holes and tunnels in your bhendi (okra/ladyfinger)? Are the fruits becoming deformed, with visible entry points and frass (excreta) inside? Your crop is under attack by the Fruit and Shoot Borer (Earias vittella & Earias insulana), one of the most destructive pests for okra farmers.

This pest is notorious for boring into the tender shoots and fruits, hiding from conventional sprays and causing direct damage to the marketable yield. But there is a smarter, safer, and highly effective solution: Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) Bio-Insecticide.

Why Chemical Pesticides Fail Against Bhendi Fruit Borer

The Fruit Borer is an internal feeder. The larvae bore into the okra fruits and tender shoots, creating a protected space where surface-level chemical sprays cannot reach them. This leads to:

• Wasted Sprays & Money: Chemicals only touch the surface, not the larvae inside the fruit.

• Residue Hazard: Pesticide residues remain on the harvested okra, making it unsafe for consumption and sale.

• Pest Resistance: The borer quickly develops resistance to chemical molecules.

• Harm to Beneficials: Chemicals kill pollinators and natural predators, disrupting the ecosystem.

The Smarter Solution: Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) Powder

Bt is a natural, soil-dwelling bacterium that acts as a stomach poison for caterpillars but is completely harmless to humans, animals, bees, and earthworms. It’s the perfect tool for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in vegetable farming.

How Does Our Bt Powder Work?

When the fruit borer larvae ingest the Bt spores and toxins (after you spray it on the bhendi plants), it targets their digestive system.

1. The larvae eats the Bt-treated part of the plant.

2. The Bt toxin binds to their gut receptors.

3. It paralyzes the larva's digestive system.

4. The larva stops feeding within hours and dies within 1-3 days.

The key advantage? Bt only affects the pests that are actively chewing and damaging your crop, leaving all other insects safe.

Why Choose Our Bt Powder for Your Bhendi Crop?

Our Bt Kurstaki Powder is specifically formulated for high efficacy against lepidopteran pests like the Bhendi Fruit Borer.

• ✅ Highly Specific: Kills only borers and caterpillars; safe for bees, ladybugs, and other beneficial insects.

• ✅ Zero Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI): Can be applied safely even close to harvest. Your okra remains free from toxic residues.

• ✅ Fights Resistance: An essential tool for rotating in your IPM program to prevent pest resistance.

• ✅ Cost-Effective: Provides effective control, reducing reliance on expensive and harmful chemicals.

How to Use Our Bt Powder for Effective Fruit Borer Control (Step-by-Step)

Start Early! Do not wait until you see extensive damage.

1. Monitoring: Begin scouting your field at the vegetative stage. Look for egg-laying moths and early signs of shoot wilting.

2. First Spray: Apply at the early flowering and fruit formation stage. This is a critical window to protect the developing fruits.

3. Mixing: Mix 4-5 grams of our Bt Powder per liter of water. For better adhesion, add a few drops of a recommended sticker/spreader.

4. Spraying: Spray thoroughly, ensuring complete coverage of all shoots, flowers, and especially the tender fruits. Pay attention to the growing tips.

5. Timing: Spray during late afternoon or early morning for maximum effectiveness, as sunlight can degrade Bt.

6. Reapplication: Repeat the application every 7-10 days, or after heavy rain, to protect new growth and fruits.