Ecology and Possible Control of the Mahogany Shoot Borer Hypsipyla robusta in Kerala, India

摘要

An area of 169 ha has been planted with swietenia macrophylla King in Kerala. The shoot borer Hypsipyla robusta (Moore) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Phycitinae) is an important pest of this tree crop. Studies carried out in S. macrophylla plantations in kerala showed that up to 70percent of the plants were affected by H. robusta in some plantations. A parasitic nematode (Hexamermis sp.) was found to cause mortality of the larvae in the field. Preliminary results of a trial of two organophosphate insecticides against larvae of H. robusta gave promising results.