Pacific Pests, Pathogens and Weeds - Online edition

Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Bele (Abelmoschus) leaf roller (087)


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Summary

  • Worldwide distribution. On bele (aibika, island cabbage or sliperi kabisAbelmoschus manihot), ornamental Hibiscus, cotton, okra, and some weeds. An important pest.
  • Eggs laid singly or in groups on underside of leaves. At first, larvae feed together, later alone in leaf rolls, causing leaves to curl, droop down and fall.
  • Cultural control: plant away from infested crops; pinch and squash rolled leaves, if number are low; prune rolled leaves; after last harvest, collect and burn debris.
  • Chemical control: PDPs (with soap): chilli, derris, pyrethrum, or neem; use biopesticides, e.g., Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), or spinosad, but best to spray young larvae; use synthetic pyrethroids, but more likely to kill natural enemies.

Common Name

Cotton leaf roller, bele leaf roller

Scientific Name

Haritalodes derogata; previously, it was known as Sylepta derogata.


AUTHORS Helen Tsatsia & Grahame Jackson
Information from Crosby TK, Cocks G (2013) Cotton leaf roller (Haritalodes derogata): PaDIL - http://www.padil.gov.au; and CABI (2020) Haritalodes derogata (cotton leaf roller). Crop Protection Compendium. (https://www.cabi.org/cpc/datasheet/52198). Photos 1-3 Suzanne Neave, CABI, UK. Photo 4 Georg Goergen, IITA/Insect Museum, Cotonou, Benin.

Produced with support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research under project PC/2010/090: Strengthening integrated crop management research in the Pacific Islands in support of sustainable intensification of high-value crop production, implemented by the University of Queensland and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

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