The bush frog, or Raorchestes ponmudi, eats mites known to destroy the pseudo-stem of cardamom, which is a major threat to farmers.
Frog species found in the Western Ghats have been identified as adapted to cardamom, which are known to destroy the pseudo-stem of cardamom, which is a major threat to the farmers.
bush frog, or Raorchestes Ponmudi shoot eats borer Conogethes punctiferalis which enters through immature panicles and attacks shoots and stems, thus destroying cardamom plants, often extensively. The bush frog is widely found in the Ponmudi region of the Western Ghats and is familiar to cardamom plantations.
Unlike other frog species, the bush frog has a completely different life cycle, and does not require primarily water sources for the development of its eggs.
effects of pesticides
AK Vijayan, a scientist at the Indian Cardamom Research Institute and former head of crop protection, told Hindu Tuesday that the bush frog is largely absent in cardamom orchards, where highly toxic insecticides are sprayed.
An adult insect lays about 20 to 35 eggs on cardamom leaf margins, leaf axils, panicles and nymphs. The eggs hatch within five to six days. Emerging larvae bore holes in tender panicles, loose leaves or immature capsules. At a later stage, the larvae pierce the shoots and feed on the central core of the pseudo-stem, resulting in decay. The caterpillars of this insect pierce and feed on flower buds, flowers and capsules. Insect attacks are particularly high from June to September, explains Dr. Vijayan.
Studies have found that each larva feeds about 25 to 27 capsules to attain maturity. Its life cycle is completed in 38-45 days. The adult insect is orange/yellow in color and is 22–24 mm long with many black dots on its wings.
The bush frog is also common in the CHR (cardamom hill reserve) areas of Udumbunchola and Peerumade in Idukki district. Farmers in these areas have reported its presence on cardamom plants, where the species is often seen at night when it comes out to feed on moths. However, aggressive pesticide application poses a threat to the bush frog, Dr. Vijayan said.
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