1Division of Entomology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012 (India).
2Division of Extension, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012 (India).
Under transfer of technology programme, the farmers adopted the method of early sowing in the arid and semi-arid areas of northern India to avoid the infestation of key pest of mustard, viz, Lipaphis erysimi Kalt. But, an outbreak of another important pest, viz., painted bug, Bagrada hilaris (Burm.) occurred in 1992 in the early sown mustard crop in Delhi, western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and part of Punjab (India). Almost every where the crop sown before 20th October was badty damaged, necessitating farmers to resort to resowing. The plants measuring 1 to 3 cm in height were attacked and about 2 to 5 bugs per plant were found in the field. This population was sufficient to cause mortality of the plants in 2 to 4 days. The painted bug attack was noticed in the first week of October but there was severe damage in the third and fourth weeks of October. This provides the guidelines to farmers that they should be ready to protect their early sown mustard crop from the painted bug.
