Management of the flat-headed borer, Sphenoptera dadkhani Obenberger on peach in India

Abstract In management studies on the flat‐headed borer, Sphenoptera dadkhani Obenberger (Buprestidae: Coleoptera) on peach, spraying of lindane 20 EC at 500 g a.i./ha in June and September was most effective in controlling the borer. With a mild level of pruning, the reduction in the carryover of the borer population was 46.6% (branches destroyed/burnt) and 35.5% (branches left in the orchard). A reduction of 61.1% was recorded when severely pruned branches were destroyed, whereas this reduction was only 43.2% when pruned branches were left in the. orchard. Integration of severe pruning of infested trees, followed by their destruction and application of recommended doses of farmyard manure and NPK fertilizers in January followed by three sprayings of lindane (500 g a.i./ha), at the times of adult emergence in April, June and September most effectively managed the borer. Integration of these practices resulted in up to 91.5% control of the borer.