Management of red headed hairy caterpillar

RED HEADED hairy caterpillar (Amsacta albistriga) is a polyphagous devastating pest of rainfed crops . Moths emerge from the soil during monsoon in waves depending on the frequency of showers. Females lay upto 1,000 eggs in 2-6 days on the under surface of leaves in weeds, grasses, cowpea, groundnut and even on clods and poles if vegetation is not available. Extensive damage may compel resowing. The resown crops will be less productive due to delay in sowing and inadequate moisture. The caterpillars are active for 6-8 weeks and grow up to 5 cm. Grownup larvae transform to pupae and then to moths to give rise to another generation if weather conditions are favourable.

The pest can be effectively tackled by the following measures.
-Generally the moths will emerge after the second day of soaking rains.
As the moths are attracted to light, a bonn fire is made by burning the crop residues or setting up of light traps with burning the electricity bulbs wherever possible at 1-2/ha keeping the kerosinised water below the light trap. Egg mass should be removed near the light source.
-Egg mass and early instar gregarious forms on bunds, stones and weed/stra plants may be destroyed.
-Cucumber may be grown as trap crop to attract the larvae in crops like groundnut, cotton and castor.
- Nuclear polyghedrosis virus at 250 LE/ha is found to be effective to suppress the pest in early stages.

(Courtesy- The Hindu)

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