PESTS OF SUNFLOWER :: Minor Pests :: Black Hairy Caterpiller

9.  Black hairy caterpillar – Estigmene lactinea (Arctiidae: Lepidoptera)

Damage symptoms: Larva feeds on leaves voraciously and cause severe defoliation.

Bionomics: Adult is large white moth with crimson markings on head, body and wings.  Larva is thick with black head and hairs.

Management: Apply any one of the insecticides at 25 kg/ha at 50% flowering.  Carbaryl 10D, malathion 5D (or) spray carbaryl 50 WP 750 g (or) endosulfan 35 EC 750 ml/ha.