- Worldwide distribution. On bele (aibika, sliperi kabis, island cabbage, Abelmoschus manihot), okra, ornamental Hibiscus, and tomato.
- Eggs laid singly; larvae hatch, bore into young stems and cause wilts.
- Natural enemies: lacewings, lady beetles, parasitoid wasps.
- Cultural control: grow crops during wet season when populations are lower; prune stems several centrimetres below entry holes; after last harvest, pull out and burn the plants.
- 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.
