Pacific Pests, Pathogens and Weeds

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Summary

• Worldwide distribution. On bele (aibika, island cabbage or sliperi kabis, Abelmoschus manihot), ornamental Hibiscus, cotton, okra, and some weeds. An important pest.
• Eggs laid singly or in groups on underside of leaves. At first, larvae feed together, later alone in leaf rolls, causing leaves to curl, droop down and fall.
• Cultural control: plant away from infested crops; pinch and squash rolled leaves, if number are low; prune rolled leaves; after last harvest, collect and burn debris.
• Chemical control: PDPs (with soap): chilli, derris, pyrethrum, or neem; use biopesticides, e.g., Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), or spinosad, but best to spray young larvae; use synthetic pyrethroids, but more likely to kill natural enemies.