The Giant Coffee Looper Ascotis Selenaria Reciprocaria Walk

Abstract

A leaf-eating Geometrid caterpillar, Ascotis selenaria reciprocaria Walk., not previously recorded from coffee in Kenya, was collected from mature Co flea arabica at the Coffee Research Station, Ruiru, Kenya, for the first time in January, 1961. Four months later the caterpillar caused considerable defoliation of coffee seedlings in nursery beds at the Coffee Research Station. The following month an infestation was seen near Thika on mature coffee and considerable damage was caused by a population of 40 to 50 caterpillars per tree. Shortly afterwards further infestations of varying degrees of severity were found in the Thika and Ruiru areas where much of the Kenya coffee crop is grown. Although at the present time it is clear that Ascotis is only of minor importance as an insect pest of coffee, some concern was felt as medium volume sprays of parathion and methyl-parathion at concentrations of up to 0.06 per cent is failed to control the pest. It was therefore decided to investigate its life history and conduct simple insecticide trials to find an insecticidal treatment which would give satisfactory control of the pest.