This problem normally occurs in chilies, vegetables and cotton. The pest attacks the tender leaves and branches. They occur in thick colonies.

Cut the heavily affected portions once a week and put them in the fermented or boiled solution prepared as explained earlier. This is physical removal and is one of the cultural practices of integrated pest management techniques.

As a result of this attack the leaves start curling up and wither. The following concoction helps control this problem.

Ingredients: (a) 2-3 kg of five of the following leaves: lantana camara, neem, nochchi, tobacco, siRiyAnangai, custard apple, pIchchangu, aloevera, piraNdai or bilva fruit (5 -10 numbers) or green chillies (2-3 kg) (b) 100 gms turmeric powder.

Preparation: Chop the leaves into small pieces (if using bilwa fruit or chillies, crush them). Add turmeric powder. Use the fermentation method described earlier to make the solution. Let the mixture ferment for seven days.

Usage: Add ten liters water to one liter solution and spray. Depending on the intensity of attack, you may repeat the spray 2-3 times in 7-10 days interval.