1Division of Entomology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi110012, India
Division of Crop Protection, ICAR-Central Plantation Crop Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod671124, Kerala, India
*Email: amitysuji@gmail.com (corresponding author)
Online Published on 11 July, 2023.
A sporadic outbreak of the rare lepidopteran insect pest Coconympha iriarcha Meyrick (Gelechiidae: Lepidoptera) was recorded on the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.) (Arecales: Arecaceae). The larvae of these can be differentiated from the larvae of Opisina arenosella, the black headed caterpillar, by its size and colour. The former is with yellowish cream body with a pale brown head and is small (< 4 mm); latter is with a greenish body with red dorsal lines and a black head, and >11 mm long. In this study, reoccurrence of C. iriarcha is documented and it is redescribed with illustrations and damage symptoms.
Coconut, Coconympha iriarcha, Opisina arenosella, Damage, Defoliator, Reoccurrence, Redescription, Illustrations, Larva, Differences
