Abstract

The population dynamics of Hyblaea puera was investigated over a three year period by sampling immature stages of the pest at weekly intervals from three permanent plots and a number of 'moving plots' whithin a 1000 ha teak plantations. The infestation was not uniform over the entire area. Eggs are laid only on tender leaves and the neonate larvae do not survive onolder leaves. The noticeable event in the widespread outbreak of the Caterpillar was the sudden occurrence of high density infestation attree tops. A systematic surveiance of selected belts of teak plantations at Nilambur is made the evidences indicate that H. puera population outbreak is of the eruptive types. Reproductive behaviour of the defoliator was studied under laboratary conditions. Study was made to test whether teak plantations raised from early-flushing cloves can be used as a means of protection on the defoliator. But all trees suffered defoliation when outbreak occurred. The practical implications of the results for management of the teak defoliator and the future efforts needed are discussed briefly