Management of bark eating caterpillar, Indarbelaobliquifasciata in cocoa

Abstract

Bark eating caterpillar is now-a-days becoming one of the emerging lepidopteran pests of cocoa in Andhra Pradesh. The development of effective control strategies targeting Bark eating caterpillar, (Indarbela sp.) represents an emerging challenge due to the concealed nature of the pest. Use of botanicals, entomopathogens and green chemistry insecticides are considered a promising option in Integrated Pest Management strategies as an alternative to conventional insecticides. Results revealed that the Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC (0.3 ml l-1) and Lamda cyhalothrin 5% EC (0.5 ml l-1), Napthalene balls powder, injection of Palm oil, Castor oil and Neem oil were more effective (as active holes became inactive i.e., frass ribbon not observed after treatment) than entomophatogens viz., Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana for the management of Bark eating caterpillar.