Fruit and shoot borer
Caterpillars of a small moth that bore into tender shoots and fruit, causing wilted tips and wormy fruit.
Also known as: Brinjal borer, Shoot borer
Symptoms and identification
Young shoot tips droop and wither suddenly. Fruits have small round holes plugged with brown droppings, and the inside is tunnelled and rotting.
Causes
A small white moth lays eggs on leaves, buds and young fruit. The larvae tunnel inside, where they are protected from sprays. Infestation is worst in warm, humid months.
Organic treatment
Snip off wilted shoots a few centimetres below the damage and pick bored fruit; destroy them, do not compost. Spray neem oil weekly from flowering to prevent egg laying, and use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) on young larvae.
Prevention
Inspect plants twice a week. Use pheromone traps for the moth and grow plants under fine insect netting where possible. Remove plant debris after the crop ends.
Chemical treatment (use with care)
If damage is severe, use an insecticide labelled for fruit and shoot borer on that crop, following the label and the waiting period before harvest.