Buffel grass seed caterpillar

Mampava rhodoneura

Appearance:

The adult buffel grass seed caterpillar is a moth with a wingspan of about 2.5 centimeters. It is white with a rusty brown suffusion on the costa and wingtip of each wing. The abdomen is orange-brown.

The larvae are about 3 centimeters long when fully grown. They are brown with a paler underside. The larvae have a distinctive brown head capsule.

Life cycle:

The eggs of the buffel grass seed caterpillar are laid on the seed heads of Cenchrus pennisetiformis. The larvae hatch and feed on the seeds. The larvae pupate in a cocoon made of silk and plant material. The adult moths emerge from the pupae and lay eggs on the seed heads of new plants.

Damage:

The buffel grass seed caterpillar can cause significant damage to buffel grass seed crops. The larvae feed on the seeds, making them difficult to mature and disperse. This can reduce the yield of buffel grass seeds by up to 100%.

Management:

There are a number of ways to manage buffel grass seed caterpillar infestations. These include:

  • Harvesting at the right time: Harvest buffel grass seeds when the seeds are ripe and the seed heads have turned brown. This will reduce the amount of time that the larvae have to feed on the seeds.
  • Removing infested seed heads: Remove and destroy infested seed heads immediately. This will help to reduce the number of larvae and eggs.
  • Using insecticides: Insecticides can be used to kill the larvae and pupae of buffel grass seed caterpillars. However, insecticides should only be used as a last resort, as they can harm beneficial insects and other wildlife.

Prevention:

There are a number of things that can be done to prevent buffel grass seed caterpillar infestations. These include:

  • Planting resistant cultivars: Some cultivars of buffel grass are resistant to buffel grass seed caterpillars.
  • Rotating crops: Rotating crops with buffel grass can help to reduce the number of overwintering larvae.
  • Maintaining good sanitation: Removing weeds and other debris from buffel grass fields can help to reduce the number of host plants for the larvae.