CSA Xpert

• As a prophylactic measure, the first affected leaves may be cut and burnt during the beginning of the summer season.
• Biological control is most successful method. Among the larval parasitoids, the Bethylid, Goniozus nephantidis, (Elasmus nephantidis (brown species) and Brachymeria nosatoi) is the most effective in controlling the pest. The optimum level of release is 1:8 of host parasitoid ratio. The parasitoid should be released @ 3000/ha under the coconut trees when the pest is in the second or third instar larval stage. Parasitoid release trap may be used to release the parasitoid at the site of feeding. Parasitoids should not be released in the crown region, since they will be killed by predators like spiders and reduviid bugs. This should be released only three weeks after chemical spray.
• Release the larval (Bethylid, Braconid and Ichneumonid) and pupal (Eulophid and chalcid) parasitoids and predators periodically from January, to check the build up of the pest during summer.
• Bacteria like Serratia marcescens and Bacillus thuringiensis cause disease in larvae.
• Predatory carabid beetle Parena laticincta
• A host of parasites attack different stages of the pest. For obtaining effective control, scheduled release of a combination of these parasites should be adopted four times depending on the stage of the pest.

                            - First release immediately when the infestation is observed.

                                         - Second – a fortnight after the first

                                         - Third – a month after the second

                                         - Fourth – a fortnight after the third

•       The stage wise parasitoids are listed below