*4.1.1.1 Biology and nature of injury*

About 302.9 eggs are laid by a female moth in its lifetime within a period of about 5.5 days. After hatching, the larvae withstand 9–10 instars in 43.1 days. The

**Figure 2.** *Tussock caterpillar.* *Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Oil Palm,* Elaeis guineensis *Jacq. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108580*

larvae are found defoliating the oil palm severely at the secondary nursery stage. Initially the leaves are scraped by the young larvae within the congregation and later disperse and begin feeding on the tender leaves severely. The complete life cycle from egg to adult is 65.1 days. Caterpillars possess dense tufts of hair on the body. They are capable of causing minor irritation and sometimes rash on the material body.

#### *4.1.1.2 Management*

Under the field conditions, tachinid flies parasitizes the larvae to 10.2% and pupae by are parasitized by *Brachymeria albotibialis* to 40.0%. The pest can managed with 1– 2 sprays of 0.05% quinalphos. The larvae of *D. mendosa* are parasitized by a tachinid fly (Diptera: Tachinidae) and the pupae of *D. mendosa* are parasitized by *Brachymeria albotibialis* (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae). The fly injects an egg into the caterpillar. The fly maggots burrow inside the host and feed from inside the body upon hatching. The affected caterpillar becomes sluggish reduces in size and fails to pupate and eventually dies. The mean parasitism is generally about 10.2% during the pest activity period. The parasitized pupa turns dark brown or black in colour and only one parasitoid individual emerges out per host pupa. Once the parasitoid emerged, the empty pupal case remained with a circular hole at the pinnacle region. The extent of parasitism under field conditions is often recorded as 40.0%. This information on biology, the character of the damage, seasonal activity, and natural enemies of *D. mendosa* can be used for planning and developing effective pest management strategies in oil palm nurseries.

#### *4.1.2 Slug caterpillar* Darna catenatus *Snellen, (Limacodidae)*

The pest was reported as a significant problem in both Malaysia and Indonesia where large hectares of oil palm was infested with it causing heavy defoliation [21]. The incidence of slug caterpillar was first reported on oil palm in 2002 was sporadic and erratic in very few plantations of West Godavari and Krishna districts of Andhra Pradesh, India. The pest was also observed feeding on the adjacent coconut plants but at low levels and doubtless migrated to the oil palm thanks to the provision of lush green leaves. However, it was shown that high summer temperatures had little effect on insect build-up and that a high ratio was a key element in natural suppression (**Figure 3**).

#### *4.1.2.1 Biology and nature of harm*

Every female lays between 250 and 350 eggs. On the abaxial surfaces of the more developed fronds, frequently close to the edges of leaflets, the eggs are placed in rows. These eggs will eventually hatch. The caterpillars have urticating spines and are green. Caterpillars in the first instar solely eat the epidermis, which results in translucent patches that resemble windows. Later-stage caterpillars eat from the lamina's margin toward the interior, leaving the midvein. The larva develops during a period of 3–7 weeks. To spin cocoons and pupate, caterpillars scurry way down to the tree trunk's base or amid herbaceous plants. The pupal stage is for 2–4 weeks. The destructive stage, caterpillars, are observed feeding on the leaf lamina, severely defoliating the leaf and leaving just the midribs. The lower whorl leaves have totally

**Figure 3.** *Slug caterpillar infecting oil palm.*

dried due to the heavy incidence. Faecal droppings on the bottom level or cover and the sound of gnawing during a significant outbreak can both be used to gauge the pest's severity. The larvae are found to own setae on the dorsal side of the body causing irritation to handle. The presence of a bluish tinge on the dorsal side of the caterpillar is the conspicuous identification mark of the pest. Except for oil palm, the incidence was also observed in cocoa and maize that are grown within or adjacent to oil palm plantations. The caterpillars are characterised by their stinging spines which may cause a rash on contact with the skin. Young caterpillars scrape strips of the epidermis and as they become mature, generally commence feeding near the information of pinnae, leaving only the midrib [19]. The fronds are severely defoliated during a severe epidemic, leaving the midrib alone.
