Swarming caterpillar:a resurrecting pest in rice ecosystem

摘要

During 2009 and 2010, severe outbreak of swarming caterpillars occurred in Odisha (especially Sambalpur and Sundergarh district) over thousands of hectares that led to complete devastation of paddy (Oryza sativa) in the farmer's fields and the crops looked as it was completely grazed by cattle. Similarly in 2013, major outbreak of swarming caterpillar was experienced over 100 ha of paddy field in Asom (Bajali and Pakabetbari block in Barpeta district) and caused 80 to 100% damage. Recently, during 2016 also again in Asom an outbreak of armyworm was observed in paddy fields. The insect is polyphagous in nature and attacks various graminaceous crops as well as weeds, but upland rice is its preferred host.