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

1. Inflorescence caterpillar-Tirathaba mundella Wlk. (Pyraustidae: Lpidoptera)

Damage

• Tender branches of inflorescence are webbed together with silken threads of caterpillar.
  
• Wet mass of excreta protrudes out of the web.
  
• Bore holes are seen at the base of unopened spathes and buttons, which are plugged with excreta.
  
Bionomics

• Larva is dirty yellow or white with brown head.
  
• Adult moth is small with ashy wings.
  
• Eggs are laid on tender spathes.
  
• Egg, larval and pupal periods last for 5, 25 and 10 days respectively.
  
• Pupation occurs within galleries.