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Population dynamics of the coconut caterpillar, Opisina arenosella Walker (Lepidoptera: Xyloryctidae), in Sri Lanka

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

P. A. C. R. Perera ,
M. P. Hassell  and
H. C. J. Godfray
P. A. C. R. Perera
Affiliation:
Coconut Research Institute, Lunuwila, Sri Lanka
M. P. Hassell
Affiliation:
Department of Pure and Applied Biology, Imperial College at Silwood Park, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7PY, UK
H. C. J. Godfray*
Affiliation:
Department of Pure and Applied Biology, Imperial College at Silwood Park, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7PY, UK
*
* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
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Abstract

Opisina arenosella Walker is a defoliating pest of coconut in Sri Lanka. A first attempt was made to understand its population dynamics. Analysis of records of population outbreaks throughout the country from 1965 to 1985 revealed cycles in the population of approximately one generation period, giving the population the appearance of partially discrete generations. There was also evidence for longer cycles of six-month period. Outbreaks occurred throughout the coconut-growing regions of Sri Lanka, and the numbers of outbreaks per year in different provinces were sometimes correlated, indicating a common, probably climatic, triggering mechanism. Parasitism remained high throughout the outbreaks and there was some evidence that pupal parasitism increased towards the end of an outbreak. A working hypothesis that explains the population dynamics of O. arenosella and the origin of outbreaks is presented.

Type
Original Article
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 78 , Issue 3 , September 1988 , pp. 479 - 492
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1988

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