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Leaf-eating caterpillars in oil palm: signs and what to do
What it looks like
Leaflets eaten or skeletonised, holes and dry brown patches; small bag-like cases (bagworm), webbing, or slug-like caterpillars on the leaves.
What to do
- Check how many palms are affected; cut and burn badly affected leaflets.
Spray advice (IIOPR)
No pesticide is officially registered for oil palm in India. This is ICAR-IIOPR's published advice. Check with your mill's field officer before spraying.
- IIOPR: if the attack is spreading, spray lambda-cyhalothrin 1 ml per litre of water. Not on rainy days.
Questions
How do I recognise leaf-eating caterpillars in oil palm?
Leaflets eaten or skeletonised, holes and dry brown patches; small bag-like cases (bagworm), webbing, or slug-like caterpillars on the leaves.
What should I do about leaf-eating caterpillars?
Check how many palms are affected; cut and burn badly affected leaflets.
Sources: ICAR-IIOPR Crop Calendar 2026
Related problems
Check your palm with a photo
Palm Day's photo check tells you if it's this problem or something else, in Telugu.
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