A Scientific Note on Grote Tussock Moth, Calliteara grotei (Moore) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) Infestation on Sal (Shorea robusta Roth) from Bodoland Territorial Region, Assam, India

Abstract

This short communication is the first scientific note on the Grote Tussock Moth, Calliteara grotei (Moore, 1859) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) infestation on Sal (Shorea robusta Roth) from Bodoland Territorial Region, Assam, India. Calliteara grotei infested 72.75, 67.80, 53.23, 87.56, 82.33 and 63.75 per cent of S. robusta trees in Magurmari Protected Reserve Forests, Elashijhar Reserve Forest, Choraikhola area of Nayekgaon PRF, Paroura and Koraitola of Paroura Reserve Forest and Harinaguri-I of Kokrajhar District, respectively. Calliteara grotei infestations defoliated the infested S. robusta trees, leaving just the central midribs and the bare rachis. The larval period varied from 35 to 40 days, with five larval instars. The early instar larva has orangish head and thorax with distinct blackish bands on the dorsum of the abdomen. The final instar larvae gradually turned yellowish with a prominent black patch between the dorsum of 1^st and 2^nd abdominal segments. The larval body is covered with long yellowish hairs and thick tuft of hairs projecting from the dorsum of 1-4^th and 8^th abdominal segments.