The Ber Grey Hairy Caterpillar scientifically known as Thiacidas postica Walker is a serious pest of ber. It is caterpillar stage of ber moth.

Common Name | Ber grey hairy caterpillar |
Hindi Name | बेर की भूरी इल्ली (Ber ki bhuri elli) |
Scientific Name | Thiacidas postica Walker |
Caterpillar | Grey hairy caterpillar |
Adult | Adult is a moth |
Family | Noctuidae |
Order | Lepidoptera |
Damaging stage | Caterpillar |
INDEX
S. No. | HEADING |
1. | Introduction |
2. | Economic Importance |
3. | Occurrence |
4. | Feeding Behaviour |
5. | Image Gallery |
6. | Frequently Asked Questions |
(1). Identification
- It is small bodied caterpillar.
- The length of hair is more than the length of body.
- Hairs are black and grey. Half is black and half is grey.
- Body colour is somewhat pale yellow.
- Head colour is black.
- Triangular white spot can be seen over head.
(2). Economic Importance
This the reason why we are writing this post.
It is very harmful pest of ber. More than 50% (50 – 90%) part of a whole leaf is eaten by the caterpillar.The whole leaves of a ber tree can be damaged by the insect. The tree looks like leafless.
(C). Occurrence
Region: India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan.
Season: Rainy season.
(D). Feeding Behaviour
- It is a ferocious eater of ber leaves.
- leaves are left damaged.
- Caterpillars start eating leaves from the middle.
Note: This post is based on general observation of the pest.
(E). Image Gallery


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E 01. Incidence on Local Varieties of Ber




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E 02. Incidence on Apple Ber Variety of Ber




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(F). Frequently Asked Questions
Question 01. Which species or variety of ber is most susceptible to this pest?
Answer: All species/varieties of ber are susceptible to this insect.
Question 02. What are organic control measures?
Answer: NSKE 5%.
Question 03. What are chemical control measures?
Answer: Isecticides such as chlorpyriphos and quinalphos are effective against this pest. 2.5ml of chlorpyriphos or 2ml of quinalphos can be used against the pest.
TAGS: Images/Photos of Thicidas postica Pests of ber. Insects of ber. Ber hairy caterpillar. Damage symptoms by ber grey hairy caterpillar. Management of ber hairy caterpillar. बेर की भूरी इल्ली। बेर के कीट। बेर के कीट का नियंत्रण।
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