Red Hairy Caterpillars

There are 2 types of red hairy caterpillars both resembling in habits and habitats and so are in charge of destroying our agricultural crops. Red hairy caterpillars participate in the genus Amsacta. The 2 species that are accountable for causing heavy economic loss really are a. albistriga plus a. moorei. A. albistriga is widely distributed in south India and Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. In its northern border and central region of India A. moorei is most prevalent. However, both species happen to be noticed together inside the Pollachi tract of Tamil Nadu.

They may be polyphagous insects but many commonly would rather infest groundnut, mung bean and black gram. Additionally they attack sorghum, cotton, castor, millet, pearl millet, ragi, maize, soybean, horse gram, cluster bean and pigeon pea. They're one of many worst pests of groundnut leading to complete destruction with the crop and heavy economic loss particularly in south India. The young caterpillars are acknowledged to feast upon the under surface of leaves by scrapping the chlorophyll for 4-5 days on a single leaves where eggs were laid. The skeletonized leaves can be simply detected from considerable distances. After attaining a substantial size larvae disperse and feed individually by consuming flowers and instead gives off. Once the caterpillars exist in vast quantities then merely the base of stem of plant remains leading to complete loss in the crop.

The adults are medium-sized moths measuring 25 mm over the wing span. Forewings are white in colour and also have characteristic black streaks accompanied by a yellow streak over the anterior margin. Hind wings may also be white in colour with persistent black streaks. A yellow coloured band exists around the head. Larvae are initially ash brown in colour but attain reddish colouration when adult. Black bands exist throughout the body in larvae and reddish brown hairs are extremely prominent all around the body segments and that's why they may be called as red hairy caterpillars. Usually mass emergence of moths continues to be observed using the oncoming of rainy season. Adults start copulating immediately after emergence and oviposition usually occur in night. A lady lays 600-700 eggs or sometimes the amount reaches to about 2,300.

Eggs are laid in clusters about the available host plants. Oviposition takes 3-4 days as well as the incubation duration of eggs is different from 3-4 days. The caterpillars right after emergence start feeding around the leaves and stick to the identical leaves to get a duration of 3-5 days. They may be voracious feeders and scrap off of the chlorophyll from your leaves going for a papery appearance. Larval period is of 25-30 days. Pupation happens in soil in a depth of 10-20 cm under trees, hedges, shady corners or bunds. Pupae stay in diapause stage within the soil till the following season. Only 1 generation may be recorded each year. In Tamil Nadu a quick cycle may be observed in which the larvae of early emergence pupate and emerge after short pupal period and infest crops. The egg masses and also the larvae could be manually picked and destroyed. Trenches might be formed and so the movement of larvae can become restricted. Trap crops could be encouraged. Parasitoids have become made available to allow them to supply for lowering the attack of red hairy caterpillars.