Biology and feeding pattern of black inch worm, Hyposidra talaca Walker (Lepidoptera: Geometridae): A major defoliating pest of plantation crops

Hyposidra talaca Walker, a polyphagous pest which is considered as a major defoliating pest of tea in north-east India has been reported to feed on a variety of trees, shrubs and weeds. H. talaca, commonly known as black inch worm or twig caterpillar, was recently noticed to cause a considerable damage in Clerodendrum indicum, a medicinal shrub which is gaining worldwide recognition and importance because of its outstanding medicinal properties in MSSSoA campus during 2018–19. Biology of the pest when studied was observed that the incubation period was about 5.8±0.55 days and there were five larval instars in its complete life cycle. The total larval duration of H. talaca was 18.1±2.73 days. In the laboratory, the life cycle of H. talaca completed within 47±4.79 days.