• Leaf skeletonisation by early instar larvae.
• Complete defoliation by older larvae.

Young larva

Grown up larva

Identification Characters and Biology

• Destructive stage: Larva.
• Egg - Laid in masses which appear golden brown
• Larva- Pale greenish with dark markings. Gregarious in the early stages
• Pupa: Brown. Pupation in soil.
• Adult : Forewings brown colour with wavy white marking. Hindwings white colour with a brown patch along the margin. Adult longevity: 7-10 days.

Pupa

Adult

Life Cycle of Tobacco Caterpillar

Integrated Management and Application Technologies

• ETL :8 egg masses / 100 m row
• Place light trap to monitor and kill the attracted adult moths.
• Install sex pheromone trap at 5/acre to monitor the activity of the pest.
• Grow castor along border and irrigation bunds.
• Remove and destroy the egg masses in castor and cotton crops.
• Remove and destroy the early stage larvae.
• Hand pick and destroy the gown up caterpillars.