Black-headed Caterpillar Disease

Black-headed Caterpillar Disease Latest News

Recently, the Chief Minister of Karnataka has sought a report from the Horticulture Department on the reported threat posed by the black-headed caterpillar (Opisina arenosella) disease to the coconut plantation across the state.  

About Black-headed Caterpillar Disease

• It causes serious damage to coconut trees in both coastal and inland regions.
• The caterpillars reside in silken galleries built on the undersides of leaves and consume the green portions, reducing the plant’s photosynthetic ability.
• The pest spreads rapidly through wind dispersal.
• It occurs round the year with the spike in population during summer.
• Control Strategy: It can be controlled by using neem-based pesticides, root nourishment and release of Goniozus parasitoids along with integrated nutrient management.
• Goniozus nephantidis is the most widely used parasitoid of Opisina arenosella. The parasitoid is being mass multiplied and released in Karnataka, Kerala and several other states.

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Symptoms of Black-headed Caterpillar Disease

• It infests coconut of all age groups and is a prolific feeder of coconut leaves.
• Dried up patches on leaflets of the lower leaves, only three or four youngest leaves at the center of the growth remain green.
• In case of severe infestation the whole plantations present a scorched appearance.
• The attacked leaves droop, bunches buckle and the immature nuts are shed heavily, in extreme cases feeding by the caterpillar on the green nut surface is also observed.

Source: TH