Insect Pests of Fruit, Plantation, Medicinal & Aromatic Crops (2+1)

2. Bark caterpillar - Indarbela tetraonis Moore. (Metarbelidae : Lepidoptera)

Damage

• The caterpillar bores inside the stem making irregular galleries which interfere the translocation of cell sap.
• The growth of the plant remains stunted and the fruiting capacity is drastically reduced.
Bionomics

• The adult moth is stout, pale brown moth with wavy marking on the wings.
• The female lays eggs in groups in cracks and crevices on the bark.
• The egg period is 8-10 days.
• The larva is brownish in colour measuring 3.8 mm long.
• Pupation takes place in the galleries for 3-4 weeks.
• It has only generation per year.