Kollam: In the Kollam district of Kerala, an aggressive infestation of plague caterpillars (Tiracola plagiata) is causing widespread damage to cassava and pepper crops, prompting the Agriculture Department to take urgent action. The initial outbreak was reported in paddy fields in Andoor, within the Ummannoor Panchayat of Kottarakara, and has since extended to cassava plantations in regions like Aryankavu and Rosemala. This pest feeds voraciously on leaves, impairing photosynthesis and threatening crop yields. Farmers in Rosemala are especially concerned, as the infestation coincides with pepper’s crucial fruit-bearing stage, risking substantial losses.
The Agriculture Department has mobilized a specialized team from the Kollam Agricultural Knowledge Centre, including entomologists and horticulturists, to evaluate and address the situation. The team, led by Dr. M. Lekha (Entomology), Dr. V. Sarojkumar (Horticulture), and Dr. C.R. Manu (Entomology), visited the impacted areas to assess the extent of the damage. They highlighted the urgent need to control the pest, as plague caterpillars are known to cause significant destruction similar to that of armyworms, often leaving crops stripped of leaves and unable to sustain healthy growth.
To combat the infestation, the team recommended using biological pesticides, particularly Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (B.T.K.), in the most severely affected zones. Additionally, they suggested employing natural predators like Beauveria bassiana or Metarhizium by preparing a 20-gram solution per liter of water for targeted pest control. First detected in 2022, the plague caterpillar has also been reported in other crops, including rubber and grass, across Kerala. The Agriculture Department aims to prevent further crop damage and potential spread to other staples, such as bananas and vegetables, as it intensifies pest management efforts in Kollam.
