PESTS OF CASTOR :: Major Pests :: Wooly Bear

9.  Wooly bear: Pericallia ricini  (Arctiidae: Lepidoptera)

Damage symptoms: The damage is caused by caterpillar.  It feeds on leaves resulting in defoliation.

Bionomics: The larva is robust, greyish black or blackish brown with red head and thick tuft of hairs arising from the body.  The adult is greyish brown or black with black spots on wings.  Hind wings are pink or red colour with black spots.

Management      

• Collect and destroy the caterpillars
• Dust the infested crop with  parathion 2 D @ 20-25 kg per ha or  malathion 5 D 25 - 30 kg/ha (or) carbaryl 10 D @ 20 kg/ha for young caterpillars.
• Spray endosulfan 35 EC 2.0 L or carbaryl 50% WP 2 kg in 1000-1200 L water/ha.

 

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