Worst enemy of farmers Scissor Worm destroys maize crop

Mahbubnagar: Thanks to good rains in the recent days, the farmers had regained the lost hopes in Mahabubnagar district, however, this joy seems to last no longer for the farmers, as they have found another problem in the form of Scissor Worm (Fall Army Worm) which is said to be the worst enemy of the maize crop in particular. 

Recently, during an inspection of crops in Midjil mandal by a team of agriculture officials from Jadcherla mandal, it has been found that the maize crop has been infested by Scissor Worm, the deadly creature in some of the farm lands in and around Midjil and Jadcherla mandals in the district. 

As part of this, the officials conducted an awareness programme among the farmers in Midjil mandal and advised the farmers to follow various precautionary measures to protect their maize crop from this deadly creature.

“The scissor worm is called as Kattera Purugu in Telugu. This is a dangerous worm as it will ruin the crop right at the flowering stage. If not addressed at the early state it will cause extensive damage and may give huge losses to the farmers,” said V.Krishna Kishore, Agriculture officer Midjil mandal. 

Advising the farmers, the officials asked the farmers to take various safty and environmental-friendly measures so as to reduce the impact of the scissor worm. The farmers were advised to use sand sprinkling on the worms so that it will reduce their impact.

In addition to this the farmers were also advised to prepare natural remedies like mixing 50 grams of chilli to 200 grams of charcoal wood ash and sprinkle it on the tips of plants which will effectively kill the deadly worms. 

This apart, the officials also advised the farmers to prepare other solutions like mixing of 10kg of rice dust with 2 kgs of Jaggerry and then dip the same in 100grams of Thayodi carba insecticide and finally make small round shapes of the final mix and sprinkle in the fields during evenings.

The worms will feed onto them and get killed. However, in the worst case the officials advised to use the pesticides and insecticides if the worm is attacking the fields uncontrollably.