Black-headed caterpillars cast shadow over coconut farms at Pathuvampalli

Coimbatore: District agriculture officials on Tuesday urged coconut farmers to check their trees frequently as infestation of black headed caterpillars was found in coconut farms spread over three acres at Pathuvampalli near Karumathampatti.
Joint director of agriculture R Chithra Devi asked farmers not to panic but to be vigilant and detect infestation in the early stages to prevent the spread. The infestation causes leaves to dry up, giving them a scorched appearance, she said
Officials said infestation can spread quickly and kill coconut trees, if not noticed in time.
Entomologists from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University M Alagar and Srinivasan inspected the affected farms at Pathuvampalli three days ago.
The severely infested leaves should be cut down, taken away from the farm and incinerated. Entomologists suggested that bio pest control is the best possible way available at present. Braconid, a parasitoid wasp, that is available in the larval stage at the Aliyar coconut research station can be used to control the pest. Farmers can register themselves and collect braconids on the said date, Chithra Devi said.
As many as 3,000 braconids should be released per hectare. Four light traps per hectare can also be used in addition to bio pest control methods, she added.
Coconut is cultivated in around 85,000 hectares in the district, with many farms concentrated in Pollachi and Anaimalai areas.
“Farmers in these areas need to be vigilant against the pest attack. Black headed caterpillar infestation happens during summertime as the season is suitable for the pest’s reproduction. This is the first time the pest attack was brought to the notice of the agriculture department in 10 years,” an official said.