*4.1.6.1 Nature and symptoms of damage*

Caterpillars enter the stem by the spindle leaf rachis, eat on the meristematic tissues, which result in symptoms like a dead heart and undersized leaves, and therefore hinder the growth. Pink caterpillars develop inside the rachis of the leaf. It has been noted that severe infestation kills secondary nursery plants of the oil palm,

**Figure 7.** *Life cycle of shoot borer.*

necessitating management actions. Nurseries that are poorly run have been proven to be more vulnerable to a shoot borer infestation.

#### *4.1.6.2 Management*

A bimonthly application of Carbaryl 50% WP 0.01% will reduce the occurrence of shoot borer [30].
