Red coffee borer, Zeuzera coffeae an emerging pest of tea

Red coffee borer, Zeuzera coffeae Nietner (Cossidae: Lepidoptera), also called the red stem borer or red carpenter, is widely distributed in coffee-producing areas. Coffee, tea, cinnamon, sandal, okra, cotton, orange, jackfruit, cassava, teak, cocoa, and many forest trees are the primary host plants of this borer. Larva causes damage to the host plants by boring into young stems and primary & secondary branches to feed on the wood. Young plants or branches show signs of wilting in the early stages of the attack. The infested part bears one or two holes through which the pellet-like excrement of the larva hangs out and accumulates at the base of the plant. In advanced cases, the branch or the whole plant dries up. Because of internal boring, branches and twigs wilt quickly, become brittle, and easily break off; holes are visible from which the frass is exuded. Eggs are laid in strings on the bark. The egg period is 8 to 12 days. Red larva enters through the junction of leaf stalk and twig, constructing a tunnel that extends to the roots. The larval and pupal stages together last for about 12 to 24 months. Pupation takes place inside the stem. The adult emerges in about 2 months. After moth emergence, pupal skin protrudes outside through the exit hole. The adult is a medium-sized moth with spotted wings and is nocturnal. However, removing and burning dead and dying twigs, branches, and seedlings will help reduce pest numbers. Spraying of neem seed kernel aqueous extract (NSKE) @ 4.0% may reduce the borer's infestation. A braconid parasitoid, Amyosoma zeuzerae may be encouraged. Entomopathogens, Beauveria bassiana @ 5-6g per litre water or Bacillus thuringiensis @ 2g per litre water may be used in an IPM context. Woodpeckers are also very effective predators. Besides, as a chemical control, rubbing a suspension of Sevin 85SP (Carbaryl) @ 3.5 g/litre water on the primary stem may be effective as a prophylactic measure. As a palliative measure, Tafgor 40EC (Dimethoate) @ 2 ml per litre water or Bipolar 55 EC (Chlorpyrifos+Cypermethrin) @ 2.0 ml per litre water or Admire 20SL (Imidacloprid) @ 1.5 g per litre water or Belt 24WG (Flubendiamide) @ 0.5 g per litre water may be sprayed on the infested stems...