Insect Pests and Their Control

Lentil is not bothered much by insect pests.

Cutworms can damage the crop.

Wireworms can also damage emerging seedlings.

Blister beetles have been noticed occasionally, but damage has been minimal.

Grasshoppers may be a problem.

Cutworms feed at night, cutting off seedlings at, or just below, the surface of the soil. Cutworm damage usually occurs in late May or the first three weeks of June. If spraying is necessary, you should do it at dawn or dusk to reach the larvae during an active period.

Wireworm larvae destroy young seedlings by damaging the plants just below the soil surface. They can also bore into lentil seeds. They are most frequently found where the lentil crop borders grass.

Grasshoppers may pose a serious problem. Even though grasshoppers do not like to eat lentil plants, they will feed on newly emerged seedlings, more importantly, grasshoppers may chew off all or part of the flower buds, preventing seed production.

For more information see the Insect Guide at http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/plantsci/pests/e1143w1.htm