4. Shoot and blossom webber: Macalla moncousalis (Pyraustidae: Lepidoptera)

 

Distribution and status: South India and Orissa. Regular pest.
Host range: Cashewnut

 

Damage symptoms

Larva web together tender leaves and inflorescence and feed on the them. Apples and nuts also covered with webs and their surface tissues are scraped.

 

Bionomics

Female lays 60 – 90 eggs are laid singly on the underside of the leaves or in groups. Egg period 5 – 6 days. Grown up larva is reddish brown with yellow and pink lines. Larval period 16 -21 days. It pupates in leaf fold as a silken cocoon. Pupal period 8 -14 days. Life cycle is completed in 30 – 40 days.

 

Management

• Collect and destroy damage plant parts.
• Spray endosulfan 35 EC 3 L in 1500 – 2000 L of water per ha.