What is Bark Eating Caterpillar?
The Bark Eating Caterpillar is a moth that lives and feeds on the branches of trees, belongs to the family Cossidae.
Scientific Name – Inderbela quadrinotata
Life Cycle –
Eggs: The eggs are spherical, usually single and are laid in bark cracks. At a time 350 eggs are laid during May – June, The eggs are hatch within 3-5 days.
Larva: Upon hatching, the larva start feeding on the barks. The period last for 8-10 months. The larval stage is for about 10 months. The larva is brown to black, shiny, sparsely hairy and measures 4.5- 5.0 cm before pupation.
Pupa: The Pupation takes place inside tunnel made in stems, The period last for about 20-40 days.
Adult: Moth is creamy white with brown markings on the forewing. It lives for about 3-7 days.
How does Bark Eating Caterpillar damage?
- The most damaging stage of the insect is the larval stage.
- The larvae bore holes in the stem and branches which ruptures the tissue of the plant blocking the passage of food and water in the plant.
- They feed on the bark of the tree during the night.
- These holes may also be seen at the joints of shoots and branches.
How does Bark Eating Caterpillar damage?
| Cultural Practices | Chemical Control |
| Remove frassy galleries and paint the bark. | Injecting Chloropyriphos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% EC @ 2ml/litre in the hole has been found to be effective in controlling the pest. Always seal the hole after any treatment with cotton swab of mud. |
References: –
- https://vikaspedia.in/agriculture/crop-production/integrated-pest-managment/ipm-for-fruit-crops/ipm-strategies-for-ber/ber-insect-and-mite-pests
- https://ppqs.gov.in/sites/default/files/ber.pdf
