CARDAMOM :: MAJOR PEST :: HAIRY CATERPILLAR

7. Hairy caterpillar: Eupterote cardamomi (Bombycidae: Lepidoptera)
Distribution and status: South India
Host range: Cardamom
Damage
         The caterpillars congregate on the trunks of shade trees and then drop to the cardamom plants. They feed voraciously in leaves of cardamom plants, defoliating within a short time.
Bionomics
         The adult are large moth 70 -80 mm, ochrus in colour with post medial lines on the wings. 300 – 800 eggs are laid on the under surface of leaves of shade trees. Egg period 13 – 20 days. Larva is hairy and has a dark – grey body, pale brown head. Larva undergoes 10 instars in 5 months. Pupate in soil at a depth of  2 – 2.5 inch, pupa is cocoon, pupal period 7 – 8 months.
Management

1. Collect and destroy the hairy caterpillars.
2. Set up light traps to attract and kill the moths.
3. Spray phasalone 35 EC 750 ml in 500 - 1000 L of water per ha