Pests > Pests Entities > Insects > Moths & butterflies > Hippontion ?velox, Pisonia, Maldives
Pests Pests Entities Insects Moths & butterflies Hippontion ?velox, Pisonia, Maldives
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
| June 2005. A protected island in the Maldives has a dense vegetation of Pisonia grandis (Bird catcher tree/Lettuce tree) plants which is a nesting place for few species of birds. Recently, the vegetation of the island is been damaged by a caterpillar. On inspection of the island, two types of caterpillar was found. As a result, bird nesting is reduced by about 90%. What is the identity of the caterpillar, and how can it be controlled.
A species of Hippotion or Gnathothlibus was thought likely. The caterpillar is similar to Hippotion velox, which is found on Pisonia grandis on a atoll in the Cook Islands.
Bt might be an option for controlling the outbreak.
|
|
|
