Occurence

From field observations it is identified that the castor semilooper moths are found after the showers in the month of may, and the eggs are found only in the month of June/July.

Extent of Damage

The first and early second instar semiloopers scrape the epidermis of the leaf, whereas the late second instar larvae make holes, and fourth and the fifth instar larvae defoliate the whole plant in case of heavy infestation. The proboscis of the adult is adapted for piercing and sucking the juice of fruits. The adult semiloopers create large patches of decay in ripe banana, create brown circular area surrounding the puncture, and make them prematurely fall and rot.

Biology

a. Egg

Freshly laid eggs range in size from 0.85 mm to 0.9 mm in diameter and are light green in color and dome shaped with ridges all around and the lower surface is concave.

b. 1st instar

The 1st instar semilooper is transparent in color with a half green anterior. It measures around 0.8 cm. The duration of this stage lasts from 2 to 3 days.

c. Molting

The freshly molted semilooper has tender and pale skin and after molting, the larva eats its casted skin.

d. 2nd instar

The 2nd instar semilooper measures 0.65 to 0.87 cm and is covered with white powdery substance with black head.

e. Adult Moth

Adult moths are light brown and even sometimes deep grey in color with white and brown patches on the wings. They measure around 2.45 cm in length and 5.6 cm in wing  span. Adult moths  have long proboscis through which they suck the fruit juice.