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

Abstract

AbstractOpisina 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.