Guru GyaanAgroStar Agronomy Centre of Excellence
Management of castor semilooper and leaf eating caterpillar in castor
Small castor semilooper larvae scrap the leaves but advance stage larvae feed the leaves except veins and defoliate. Leaf eating caterpillar (Spodoptera) larvae in their small stage feed chlorophyll by remain lower side of the leaves, where, the semitransparent spot appeared. Bigger larvae scattered on the plant and feed leaves, top shoot and capsules also.
Management:
o The semilooper infestation will remain lower in castor raised during the first fortnight of August.
o Install light trap to attract the moths.
o Collect & destroy the egg masses laid by the leaf eating caterpillar and first instar larval masses along with the leaves.
o Also collect the bigger larvae of castor semilooper and leaf eating caterpillar mechanically (hand picking) and destroy them.
o Spray Bacillus thuringiensis (bacteria based powder) @ 1 – 1.5 kg per hectare.
o Spray leaf eating caterpillar’s Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (SNPV) @ 250 LU per hectare.
o Generally, predatory birds are feeding on the castor semilooper larvae. Do needful action to attract the predatory birds in the field.
o Spray neem seed kernel suspension @ 5% or neem leaf extract @ 10%.
o Spray insecticides when larval population of castor semilooper is crossed 4 per plant.
Dr. T. M. Bharpoda,
Ex. Professor of Entomology,
B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand- 388 110 (Gujarat India)
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