Ecology and management of the black inch worm, Hyposidra talaca Walker (Geometridae： Lepidoptera) infesting Camellia sinensis (Theaceae)： A review

The black inch worm, Hyposidra talaca （Walker） （Geometridae： Lepidoptera） has earned considerable importance as a defoliator during last decade in north east India. Characteristic features of H. talaca, Such as switching from wild plants to Camellia sinensis, and completion of 6-8 generations in a year without winter diapause appear to be the major reasons for persistence of the defoliator on C. sinensis. There are reports on the aggressive infestation of the pest on C. sinensis than on alternate host plants and development of high tolerance^resistance to certain insecticides. Till date, more than one hundred alternate host plants have been recorded for H. talaca, but with very few natural enemies. To manage this pest chemically, synthetic pesticides are widely used. Integrated management is recently being encouraged wherein cultural, mechanical, physical, biological and chemical methods have been contemplated. This review collates the work and literature on the ecology of H. talaca and offers an analysis of the problems encountered in managing the defoliator in tea plantations. Further, future directions for better management of H. talaca are suggested.

大钩翅尺蛾生物学特性及防治的研究

大钩翅尺蛾是黑荆树的主要害虫之一。在福建省华安一年发生5代。以蛹在土中越冬,翌年3月中旬成虫开始羽化。卵堆产于嫩梢或羽叶上。卵期4～9天。幼虫5龄,幼虫期23～43天。蛹期越冬代为101～122天,其余各代7～16天。成虫寿命3～9天,每雌平均产卵量592粒。用40％氧化乐果、50％甲胺磷、20％氰戊菊酯和2.5％溴氰菊酯的稀释液进行喷洒,对幼虫均有良好的防治效果。