Rose Hairy Caterpillar Pest Management: Symptoms, Treatment, Chemical, Biological, and Organic Control

The Rose Hairy Caterpillar, Orgyia posticus, belonging to the Family Erebidae of the Order Lepidoptera, is a serious pest that causes significant yield losses and reduces the quality of crops worldwide. It is named after its characteristic dense covering of long, bristly hairs that give it a fuzzy appearance. These caterpillars are voracious feeders and have a strong affinity for rose plants.

Effective management strategies are essential to minimize the impact of this pest on rose production. To effectively manage this pest, it is necessary to understand its life cycle, its preferred habitats, and the best methods for controlling it. This article will provide an overview and discussion of the Rose Hairy Caterpillar Pest in Rose crops, including its symptoms, identification techniques, and control.

Rose Hairy Caterpillar Pest Management

Life Cycle of Rose Hairy Caterpillar Pest in Rose Crop

The life cycle of the Rose Hairy Caterpillar pest has four stages. They are egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The lifecycle of the Rose Hairy Caterpillar begins when the adult female moth lays clusters of eggs on various surfaces, such as the bark of trees, fence posts, or other nearby structures. The eggs are covered with protective hairs from the female’s body, which provides insulation and camouflage.

The eggs are usually laid in late summer or early fall and overwinter until the following spring. Once the eggs hatch, the young hairy caterpillars emerge as larvae. They disperse and begin feeding, seeking suitable host plants, including roses. As they grow, their appearance changes, and they develop longer hairs, giving them the characteristic “hairy” appearance.

The larvae go through several molts or instars, shedding their skin each time to accommodate their increasing size. During this stage, they actively feed on the foliage of rose plants, consuming tender tissues and causing defoliation. After completing their growth and feeding activities, the mature larvae enter the pupal stage. The cocoon is typically attached to plant stems, tree bark, or other structures near their feeding site.

The caterpillar transforms into a pupa in the cocoon. Depending on environmental conditions, the pupal stage lasts a variable duration, typically ranging from a few weeks to several months. Once the pupal stage is completed, the adult hairy caterpillar pest emerges from the cocoon as a moth. Adult males and females differ in appearance. The adults are short-lived and primarily focus on reproduction. After mating, the females lay clusters of eggs to start the next generation, completing the lifecycle.

Occurrence of Rose Hairy Caterpillar Pest in Rose Crop

Location of Rose Hairy Caterpillar Pest: This pest infests Rose crops in India, Africa, Sri Lanka, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, the Philippines, and Australia.
Host Range: The Rose Hairy Caterpillar pest infects crops like Rose, Mango, Apple, Pomegranate, Grapevine, Pear, Peach, Cherry, Castor, Red gram, Linseed, Groundnut, Chrysanthemum, Daisy, Petunia, Geranium, Oak, Cabbage, Kale, Lettuce, and Spinach.

Factors Favoring the Population Increase of Rose Hairy Caterpillar Pest in Rose Crop

Warm Temperature – High temperatures promote the development and activity of the caterpillars, accelerating their life cycle and increasing their feeding rate.
High Humidity – Excess moisture can contribute to the proliferation of the pest population, making it easier for them to establish.
Abundant Foliage – The caterpillars prefer tender leaves for feeding, and dense foliage provides ample food resources and hiding places.
Lack of Natural Predators – The caterpillar population can rapidly multiply without predators such as birds, parasitic wasps, and predatory insects.
Lack of Maintenance – Improper pruning, lack of sanitation, and neglect to remove fallen leaves can provide hiding places and food sources for the caterpillars.

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Identification of Rose Hairy Caterpillar Pest in Rose Crop

Egg: The eggs are small, round to oval, and 1mm in diameter.
Larva: The larvae are small and dark in color, 1 to 1.5 inches long, with reddish-orange spots.
Adult: The males have brown wings with feathery antennae and a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. Whereas the females have larger bodies and reduced wings, making them flightless. They are whitish or cream-colored with a hairy body.

Damage Symptoms of Rose Hairy Caterpillar Pest in Rose Crop

The prominent symptom caused by this caterpillar is the defoliation of plants.
They mainly target the foliage, chewing through the leaves and consuming their tender tissues.
This feeding activity can result in severe defoliation, weakening the plants and affecting their overall health and vigor.
Severe infestations can reduce plant vitality, decrease flower production, and diminish aesthetic appeal, reducing market value.

Percentage of Yield Loss in Roses Due to Rose Hairy Caterpillar Pest

In India, the yield losses due to Rose Hairy Caterpillar pests are 15-25%. In Thailand, the percentage of yield loss is 25%. In Vietnam, the losses are 30%. In Sri Lanka, the losses are 40%. In Indonesia, the losses are 60%. In Africa, it is 50%. In the United States, it is 40%. In Mexico, it is 30%. In Brazil, it is 25%. In China, it is 50%.
In Colombia, the losses are 40%. In Ecuador, it is 20%. In Australia, it is 15%. In the Philippines, the yield losses are 30%. The Economic Threshold Level (ETL) for the Rose Hairy Caterpillar pest is set at 10% defoliation.

Hairy Caterpillar Pest Management in Rose by Cultural Control

Overcrowding – Crowded plants can create a favorable environment for pests to spread easily.
Sanitation – Removing and destroying weeds and debris will reduce the breeding ground for the caterpillars.
Pruning – Pruning should be done to remove infested plant parts before the pest populations become too large.
Handpicking – Handpick the caterpillars manually and destroy or drop them into a bucket of soap water solution to kill them.

Hairy Caterpillar Pest Management in Rose by Biological Control

Predators – Predators like birds, spiders, ladybugs, and lacewings feed on adult hairy caterpillar pests.
Parasitoids – Parasitic wasps like Apanteles congregatus lay their eggs inside the caterpillar’s body and kill them.

Hairy Caterpillar Pest Management in Rose by Chemical Control

Spray Insecticides on the crops like Carbaryl, Endosulfan, Malathion, Acetamiprid, Clothianidin, Methyl Demeton, Chlorpyriphos, Cypermethrin, Permethrin, Deltamethrin, Imidacloprid, and Thiamethoxam on the foliage to control the caterpillars in rose crops.
Fumigation – Treat the foliage with Carbaryl or Methyl Bromide to control the pupae in the ground.

Hairy Caterpillar Pest Management in Rose by Organic Control

Bacillus thuringiensis-based bio-insecticides produce toxins that can kill the caterpillars.
Plant extracts from neem, garlic, citronella, sabadilla, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, hot pepper, and tobacco can be applied to manage the infestation.
Pyrethrum, obtained from chrysanthemum, contains neurotoxins that paralyze and kill the pest.
Spinosad produced by the soil bacterium Saccharopolyspora spinosa should be sprayed on the leaves and stems of the plants to control the caterpillars.

Hairy Caterpillar Pest Management in Rose by Preventive Control Measures

Physical Barriers – Place barriers like fine mesh netting or floating row covers over the plants to prevent adult moths from laying eggs on the foliage.
Spacing – Proper placement of the plants with adequate spacing between them can help minimize the spread of the pest.
Regular Monitoring – Monitor the crops regularly to identify pest infestation in the early stages to keep it under control.
Sticky Traps – Use yellow sticky traps to monitor the pest’s activity and determine the control measures.

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Conclusion

The Rose Hairy Caterpillar Pest, Orgyia posticus, is a significant pest that affects Rose crops worldwide, causing substantial yield losses. Implementing integrated pest management approaches and adopting sustainable practices will contribute to rose cultivation’s long-term health and productivity while minimizing the reliance on chemical control methods.

Rose Hairy Caterpillar Pest Management: Symptoms, Treatment, Chemical, Biological, and Organic Control

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