TUBER VEGETABLES :: MAJOR PESTS:: SPHINX CATERPILLAR

Sphinx caterpillar: Theretra gnoma (Sphingidae: Lepidoptera)
Distribution and status: Peninsular India
Damage symptoms
Caterpillars feeds on leaves gregariously and cause defoliation.
Bionomics
Larva 80-85 mm long with green head and yellowish green body speckled with dark green sripes. Adult has greenish brown head and thorax with a white lateral stripe; abdomen brown with a black dorsal patch. Forewings are brown with one discal line parallel to outer margin. Hind wings are black.
Management
Hand picking and destruction of caterpillars in initial stage of attack.
Spray endosulfan 35 EC  1.0 L or carbaryl  50 WP 1.0 kg in 500 L water per ha