CUCURBITS :: MAJOR :: PEST OF LEAF EATING CATERPILLAR

3. Leaf eating caterpillar : Plusia peponis, P. signata and P. orichalcea (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera)
Distribution and status: Regular and serious pest all over the country.
Damage symptoms
The caterpillar cuts the edges of leaf lamina, folds it over the leaf and feeds from within leaf roll. 
Bionomics
         Stout adult moth lays spherical sculptured greenish white eggs singly on the tender leaves. Larva is a greenish semi looper with black warts. It is humped on a anal segment. They are active in winter. They pupate in the debris on the ground. Moths are very active at dusk.
Management
Collect and destroy caterpillars.
Encourage activity of Apanteles plusia and A. taragamae
Spray malathion 50 EC 750 ml, dimethoate 30 EC 500 ml, methyl demeton 25 EC 500 ml in 500-750 L of water per ha