Identification
Lycaenid pod borer larvae are grublike caterpillars. Adults are tiny butterflies.
Damage
Lycaenid pod borers hollow and eat seeds. Holes in pods are common.
Solutions
Handpick or snip caterpillars with shears. Natural enemies normally keep populations under control. Trichogramma parasites and Hyposoter exiguae may attack caterpillar eggs and larvae. There are also several general predators to keep populations under control. Bacillus thuringiensis and spinosad are effective against smaller larvae. Discing or rototilling after harvest can help reduce populations.
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