Udupi: Soldier Worms cause worries to farmers

By Snehalatha, Udupi
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 05 June 2011: Since the last 3 – 4 days the Soldier worms are causing nuisance to agriculture, in the areas of Hiriyadka and Brahmavara. Though these worms were seen frequently in Dakshina Kannada District, these are very rarely causing problems in Udupi District. Millions of these soldier worms are now seen in Anjaru near Hiriyadka, Athradi, Bommarabettu, Shettybettu near Parkala, Herga, Kodange, Perampalli near Manipal, Kolalagiri and in villages near Brahmavara in thousands of house courtyards, sides of the paddy fields, coconut farms and vegetable farms these are seen in groups everywhere. Everywhere on the ground these worms are moving around. On Friday the Officers from Agriculture Department visited these areas and upon inspection they have confirmed that these are soldier worms.

 

 

 

As soon as the first rain fell, with the cool atmosphere the eggs underground hatches and these one inch long worms come out of soil. Later in the next 3 days these worms continuously eat the crop – vegetables and destroy it. If these worms get into paddy field they will destroy the paddy crop itself, said the officers.

 

Though there is pesticide for controlling these worms, with continuous 2 – 3 days rain these will die and get destroyed naturally. Usually letting them get destroyed and control naturally like this is more effective, said the officers. Now that it is time for sowing the seeds for rice plants, at this stage these worms will cause lot of problems. Therefore it is better to plant them in wet field instead of dry fields, the officers recommended to the farmers.

 

 

The residents of these areas are very much worried. These worms even come inside the houses from the courtyards and fields, which causes nuisance to people living in the house. Some of the worms even fall into the well and pollute the water.