Cinnamon butterfly
Cinnamon butterfly
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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)
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Last modified: Saturday, 3 March 2012, 8:53 AM