Ectropis bhurmitra | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Geometridae |
Genus: | Ectropis |
Species: | E. bhurmitra |
Binomial name | |
Ectropis bhurmitra (Walker, 1860) | |
Synonyms | |
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Ectropis bhurmitra, the tea twig caterpillar, is a moth of the family Geometridae. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1860. [1] A widespread Asian species, it is found around Indo-Australian tropics from India, Sri Lanka [2] and Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, New Guinea to Australian Queensland and the Solomon Islands.
The wingspan of the adult is 3 cm. Its ground colour is fawn with a brown fasciations with complex patterns. A blurry dark blotch is found near the middle of each forewing. [3] The caterpillar has a dull, pale yellow dorsum and fuscous ventral side with pink suffusion. A rusty colour appears towards the posterior end. Setae arise from black dots. Pupation occurs within a silken cell woven between leaves. [4]
It is a polyphagous species. The caterpillar has been recorded from several plant species of many families. Host plants include Bombax ceiba , Terminalia , Artemisia vulgaris , Shorea , Aleurites , Phyllanthus , Albizia , Eucalyptus , Lantana camara , Sambucus , Uncaria gambir , Cassia , Indigofera , Leucaena , Allium , Eugenia , Syzygium , Champereia , Grevillea robusta , Breonia (syn. Anthocephalus), Coffea arabica , Elettaria cardamomum , Camellia sinensis , Gliricidia sepium , Citrus , Schleichera , Theobroma cacao , Taxodium , Gmelina , Vernicia montana and Tectona grandis . [5] [6]
Caterpillars feed on the epidermis of tender leaves causing holes on leaves. Mature caterpillars tend to feed leaves with small pieces started from margins and then eat the leaf entirely. They are mostly active during early morning and night. [6]
It is a minor pest of tea. However, caterpillars can be removed by hand picking or other mechanical methods. Adults are attracted to light and pheromones. If the outbreak is heavy, insecticides such as trichlorfon, chlorfluazuron or tebufenozide can be applied to eradicate immature stages of the caterpillar. Using biological control, China has successfully experimented with viruses like nuclear polyhedrosis virus against larval stages. [6]
Eumeta crameri is a bagworm moth of the family Psychidae. It was described by John O. Westwood in 1854 and has worldwide distribution in tropical and subtropical habitats, including India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Puerto Rico.
Hyblaea puera, the teak defoliator, is a moth and cryptic species complex native to South Asia and South-east Asia. It was first described by Pieter Cramer in 1777. The species has also been recently reported to be present in Central America and Africa. The caterpillar feeds on teak and other trees. It is considered to be one of the major teak pests around the world.
Olene mendosa, the brown tussock moth or hairy tussock moth, is a species of moth in the family Erebidae. The species was first described by Jacob Hübner in 1823. It is found in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand and Australia.
The fall armyworm is a species in the order Lepidoptera and one of the species of the fall armyworm moths distinguished by their larval life stage. The term "armyworm" can refer to several species, often describing the large-scale invasive behavior of the species' larval stage. It is regarded as a pest and can damage and destroy a wide variety of crops, which causes large economic damage. Its scientific name derives from frugiperda, which is Latin for lost fruit, named because of the species' ability to destroy crops. Because of its propensity for destruction, the fall armyworm's habits and possibilities for crop protection have been studied in depth. It is also a notable case for studying sympatric speciation, as it appears to be diverging into two species currently. Another remarkable trait of the larva is that they consistently practice cannibalism, despite its fitness costs.
Parasa lepida, the nettle caterpillar or blue-striped nettle grub, is a moth of the family Limacodidae that was described by Pieter Cramer in 1799. It is a native minor pest found in the Indo-Malayan region, including India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia. It is an introduced pest to urban trees in western Japan.
Spodoptera mauritia, the lawn armyworm or paddy swarming caterpillar, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1833. Able to eat many types of food, it is a major pest throughout the world.
Dudua aprobola, the mango flower webworm or litchi leaf roller, is a moth of the family Tortricidae. The species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1886. It is a pest on several economically important crops.
Biston suppressaria, the tea looper, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found in China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
Scirpophaga incertulas, the yellow stem borer or rice yellow stem borer, is a species of moth of the family Crambidae. It was described by Francis Walker in 1863. It is found in Afghanistan, Nepal, north-eastern India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sumba, Sulawesi, the Philippines, Taiwan, China and Japan.
Spilosoma obliqua, the jute hairy caterpillar or Bihar hairy caterpillar, is a moth of the family Erebidae. It is found in south-eastern Afghanistan, northern Pakistan, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
The Coconut black headed caterpillar, is a species of moth found in throughout East Asian countries including Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, as well as Indonesia. It is considered a pest of coconut palm trees, causing considerable damage to the trees, and reducing the plant's yield significantly and can be a major problem where coconuts contribute to the economy. The species exists on coconut palms through its life stages from larval to moth, and utilizes the tree fronds as a main source of nutrition. Various methods of control have been explored, yet the primary control method is the administration of pesticides directly to the root of the coconut palms.
Hyposidra talaca, the black looper or black inch worm, is a moth of the family Geometridae. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1860. It is found from India to Indochina, Sundaland, Sulawesi, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, the Solomon Islands, Thailand, Taiwan, New Guinea and Australia, where it has been recorded from Queensland. It is a major defoliating pest in tea plantations.
Ectropis obliqua is a species of moth in the family Geometridae first described by Prout in 1915.
Cleora scriptaria, the kawakawa looper moth, is a moth in the family Geometridae endemic to New Zealand.
Euproctis latifascia is a moth of the family Erebidae first described by Francis Walker in 1855. It is found in India, Sri Lanka and Taiwan.
Gonodontis clelia is a moth in the family Geometridae first described by Pieter Cramer in 1780. It is found in Sri Lanka, South India, Pakistan, Nepal, Hong Kong, the Andaman Islands, Singapore, Borneo and Australia.
Chlumetia transversa, the mango shoot borer, is a moth of the family Euteliidae. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1863. It is a widely distributed across Indo-Australian tropical countries far east to Solomon Islands.
Macroplectra nararia, the coconut slug caterpillar, is a moth of the family Limacodidae. The species was first described by Frederic Moore in 1859. It is found in Sri Lanka and India.
Parasa bicolor, the green rice moth, is a moth of the family Limacodidae. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1855. It is found in Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar, Laos, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Java, China and Taiwan.
Selepa celtis, called the hairy caterpillar as a larva, is a moth of the family Nolidae. The species was first described by Frederic Moore in 1858. It is found in Oriental tropics of India, Sri Lanka, Taiwan towards the Ryukyu Islands and Australia.