Renewed attack of the teak defoliator moth, having serious economic repercussions, has been reported from across the State in the past few weeks.
The larvae of the moth, Hyblaea puera , denude the trees feeding on tender leaves. The pest attack has been reported from as many as 10 districts.
The Tree Helpline of the Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, received several calls in the past two days reporting the menace from nearly 40 centres.
Reports reaching the institute indicate that infestations have occurred in many parts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Kannur, Kollam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Pathanamthitta, and Malappuram.
The pest attack, which was once confined to teak plantations, has now extended to homestead trees too. The insect is considered the most virulent pest attacking the trees of considerable economic value, researchers said.
The pest attack will have serious economic impact as it will reduce the potential volume increment of the wood. It can reduce the potential wood growth by 44 per cent, according to a research document published by the institute.
“During the attack, the trees make extra effort for putting up new leaves and the wood will not be growing in size. At the height of the pest attack, there is the possibility of the wood forking too,” according to the publication.
The researchers have estimated that the attack can leave an economic loss of Rs.75,000 per hectare. The State government alone owns 75,000 hectare of teak plantations.
As the moth can travel long distances, there is the possibility of the infestation spreading to more areas, the scientists said.
Besides the attack on the trees, there are reports of the moth larvae entering houses near the plantations and trees.
The crawling larvae will become a moth in two weeks and fly away without causing any harm to human beings, they said.
Incidentally, the institute had developed a protocol for pest control using a virus. The pest control formulation, which is in powder form, can be obtained from the institute, they said.
