The black headed caterpillar (BHC) is a most important pest of coconut plantations, causing significant yield losses to the coconut growing areas and active throughout the year but usually breaks out in serious proportions during the hot months (March, April and May). The population generally subsides after the onset of heavy rains. BHC infests all the age groups of coconut palm and it is a voracious feeder of coconut leaves. BHC can be managed productively using integrated pest management strategies.
I. Rabeena*
Agricultural College and Research Institute, TNAU, Madurai, Tamil Nadu (625 104), India
A. Subash Chandra Bose
S. Thangapazham Agriculture College, Vasudevanallur, Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu (627 760), India
Nisha Pradeepa
Rabeena, I., Bose, A.S.C., Pradeepa, N., 2022. Destruction of black-headed caterpillar (bhc), opisina arenosella in coconut palms. Biotica Research Today 4(2), 151-152.
Borse, R.D., 2014. Control of Coconut Black Headed Caterpillar (Opisina arenosella, Walker.). Indian Journal of Applied Research 4(11), 73-74.
Chalapathi Rao, N.B.V., Nischala, A., Ramanandam, G., Maheswarappa, H.P., 2018. Biological suppression of coconut black headed caterpillar, Opisina arenosella outbreak in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh - ecofriendly technology. Current Sciences 115(8), 1588-1594.
Coconut Development Board, 2019. Available at: http://www.coconutboard.gov.in/. Accessed on: 21st February, 2022.