Ministry of agriculture, animal industry and fisheries

Department Of Crop Protection
Press release on the outbreaks of giant looper caterpillar pest

INTRODUCTION
The Central (Lake Victoria Basin) and Eastern Regions of the Country are experiencing an outbreak of Giant Looper Caterpillars. This follows the large populations of Moths that have been flying around in the Regions during the month of March 2012. The Moths have been laying eggs and the current intermittent rains provide adequate moisture for the eggs to hatch into the Caterpillars. Reports of infestations by the pest have been received from Mukono, Buikwe, Wakiso, Masaka, Buvuma, Bulambuli ,Masaka, Rakai, Nakasongola and Lwengo Districts. Many other districts are likely to be attacked.

THE PEST
The Caterpillars are blackish but as they grow big they attain a grayish colour with black stripes along the back line. The head is black with two small red horns. The caterpillars occur in large populations on the infested trees/ shrubs/gardens. When the Caterpillars sense a vibration or detect a person approaching their habitat, they shake their heads, make noise and dive into the undergrowth vegetation.

SURVIVAL AND SPREAD
The moths fly from one location to another. Long distance spread is by wind. The moths lay eggs which hatch into caterpillars that are the feeding stage of the pest. Within 7-10 days the caterpillars pupate. Within 14 days adult moths emerge from the pupae and lay eggs, to repeat the life cycle.

OUTBREAK AND DAMAGE
The preferred habitat and the first points of outbreaks of the Caterpillars are forests and shrubs. The Caterpillars defoliate the forest trees and shrubs. After the forests and shrubs are completely defoliated, the caterpillars move into neighbouring gardens, where they devour all types of crops, including pastures.

REPORTING OF OUTBREAK
Farmers are advised to be on the look out in their gardens and the surrounding shrubs and forests and promptly report to the nearest Extension Worker and the District Agricultural Officer (DAO) any outbreaks of the pest. The DAOs are required to promptly report to the Department of Crop Protection (0414320642/0414320801/0414320115), Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) for technical guidance and support to control the pest.

CONTROL OF THE PEST
The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) Technical Teams are working with Agricultural Staff in the districts to train farmers on the control measures to be taken. The Caterpillars should be controlled using Pyrethroid based pesticides. The Pesticides include Permethrin and Cypermethrin, which should be applied at a rate of 150ml-200ml per 20 litres of water. Organophosphate based pesticides such as Dursban and Dimethoate should not be used because they are not effective. Farmers are advised to spray the edges of their gardens with Cypermethrin or Permethrin to kill any caterpillars moving into their gardens. Caterpillars already on the crops should also be sprayed with the chemicals.

CONCLUSION
When appropriate measures are promptly applied to control the pests, there is no cause for alarm. The population of the caterpillars will be greatly reduced through chemical control. Farmers and Agricultural Staff in Local Governments are requested to be on the look out, promptly control the pest and report any outbreaks. Any surviving caterpillars will soon go underground to pupate.

For More Information please call
0414320642/0414320801/0414320115
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries
Entebbe
April 2012