Cinnamon butterfly

Cinnamon butterfly

Cinnamon butterfly, Chilasia clytia (Papilionidae: Lepidoptera)
  • Distribution: South India and Srilanka.
  • Hosts: A number of wild species of cinnamon and other forest trees.
Damage
  • Early instars feed on the lamina of the freshly emerged leaves
  • Later instars feed voraciously on leaves leaving only the mid ribs
  • In case of severe infestation the growth of plant is adversely affected
Identification
  • Freshly hatched larva is jet black is colour with white patches which later under goes various changes in colour pattern
  • The dossal side of adults moth is rich velvety brown
  • Ventral surface of body varies from soft pale brown to rich velvety brown.
Life cycle
  • Eggs hatch in 3-5 days
  • The larva moults five times
  • Larval period is 12-18 days
  • Pupal period is completed in 11-13 days.
  • Adults live for 3-5 days
  • Total life cycle is completed in 24-36 days.
Salient features
  • Lay eggs singly on the upper and lower surface of young leaves, petioles and also on tender shoots
  • Larvae feed on leaves
  • Pupation takes place in rough silken padding on the stem prepared by the larva
Management:
  • Pest can be kept under check by collecting the butterflies with the help of net and destroying them
  • In case of severe infestation, spray the crop with quinalphos @ 1.5 L/500 L of water/ha.
Minor pests of cinnamon
  • Leaf psyllid, Pauropsylla depressa (Psyllidae: Hemiptera)
  • Leaf miner, Phyllocnistis chrysoththalina (Phyllocnistidae: Lepidoptera)
  • Tussock caterpillar, Dasychira mendosa (Lymantridae: Lepidoptera)
Last modified: Saturday, 3 March 2012, 8:53 AM