12 March 2025, New Delhi: The bark-eating caterpillar is a significant pest affecting guava trees. Its presence can be identified by the formation of elongated, zigzag ribbon-like messy webs or galleries made of bark fragments, excreta, and silk, which are usually seen near the forks or angles of stems and branches. When the web is removed, a small borehole becomes visible at the angle of thick branches, often revealing the larva inside. This pest feeds on the bark, disrupting the tree’s nutrition flow by breaking the vessels inside. In cases of severe infestation, the tree may die as the movement of sap is blocked. The caterpillar follows an annual life cycle, with one generation per year, and its occurrence is more prominent between December and March. The fully grown larva measures about 4 cm in length and has a pale brown to brown body with smooth skin and hard patches on its segments.
Pest Management
Effective management of the bark-eating caterpillar involves maintaining orchard hygiene and ensuring proper tree spacing to minimize the chances of infestation. Keeping the orchard clean and avoiding overcrowding of trees can significantly reduce the pest attack. Another effective method to control the pest is by probing the galleries and inserting an iron spike into the borehole, which helps in killing the larva. Proper monitoring and timely action can prevent severe damage to guava orchards, ensuring healthy tree growth and better productivity. The advisory has been given by ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow.
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