PEST MANAGEMENT IN TREE CROPS

Teak defoliator – Hyblaea puera

Biology

• Larva cause damage and attack commences with onset of monsoon rain
• Larva almost dark greyish-green with faint longitudinal lines or black with a broad dorsal orange red band
• Adult moth with reddish brown forewings and dark brown hindwings having orange band

Nature of damage

• Defoliation
• Entire leaf is eaten leaving midrib

Management

• Clip badly affected leaves with larva
• Spraying of Neem Seed Kernel Extract (NSKE) 5%
• Setting up of light trap to trap adult moths

Teak Skeletonizer – Eutectona machaeralis
Biology

• Greenish-white larva with a light brown head
• Adult moth with forewings having transverse markings and hindwings with bands

Nature of damage

• Larva cause damage
• Skeletonization of leaves
• Severe damage result in browning of leaves

Management