Larvae damage shoot tips by folding the fresh leaves and feed within and can tunnel up to 2 cm.
Exudation of gummy web like substances mixed with fecal pellets from the injury site can be noticed.
Later, the terminal shoots turn black and perish, which results in production of auxiliary shoot
Management
Spraying may not be required, since, natural enemies including parasitoids take care of this pest.
Four larval parasitoids, viz., Pristomerus (Ichneumonidae), Apanteles sp. (Braconidae), Elasmus sp. (Elasmidae) and Sympiesis sp., (Eulophidae) have been recorded on shoot tip caterpillar, causing parasitism of up to 25 per cent.
