1Division of Entomology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012 (India).
2Division of Vegetable Crops, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012 (India).
Bihar hairy caterpillar, Spilosoma obliqua Walker, hitherto known only as a sporadic pest, has now assumed the status of serious pest on different vegetable crops around Delhi. Amongst the twenty-eight different hybrids of cauliflower evaluated against the Bihar hairy caterpillar, none was found immune or highly resistant. The hybrids showing less damage were graded as moderately resistant and included aa x Sel.102, aa x Kartiki (J.B.), aa x First Early, aa x First Crop, aa x Sel.100, aa x Sel.41, and aa x Sel.824. Those severely damaged were graded as highly susceptible to S. obliqua and included xx x Sel.114, xx x Kartiki span, CC12 x Sel.114, aa x selected Kuwari, and aa x Sel.9. Most of the moderately resistant hybrids were of poor quality, except aa x Sel.41 which produced good compact white curds weighing about 500 g. Among the fairly resistant hybrids, CC12 x Sel.97 and CC13 x Sel.41 proved to be agronomically very good as they produced white compact curds weighing 300–400 g. Hybrids showing green plants with broad and comparatively thicker leaves were preferred by the Bihar hairy caterpillar, while those having narrow, bluish green upright leaves were less damaged by the pest.
