Acanthodelta janata (Linnaeus)
(=Achaea janata (Linnaeus))

Taxonomic position

Insecta: Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Noctuidae: Catocalinae

Common name

Castor semilooper

Habitat / Crop(s) damaged

A major pest of castor and also other hosts including rose, pomegranate, ber, mango, citrus, Tridax, Cardiospermum, Ficus, Bauhinia, etc.

It is a leaf eater and in severe cases, the larvae completely defoliate the plants, leaving behind only the midribs of leaves and stems.

The larvae are highly variable in terms of colour pattern from greyish brown to black. The larvae are commonly parasitized by Microplitis maculipennis Szépligeti (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Pupation takes place in the leaf folds or in soil. The adult moth is stout, with brownish fore wings and blackish hind wings with white markings.

Pest status

A major pest of castor.

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