Eco-Friendly Virus Controls Teak Defoliator Pest
The Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) has developed a groundbreaking biological solution to protect teak plantations from the destructive teak defoliator moth (Hyblaea puera). This pest has caused severe damage to teak forests for decades. The new technology uses a naturally occurring virus, Hyblaea puera Nucleopolyhedrosis Virus (HpNPV), which specifically targets and kills the pest larvae. This innovation promises a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides.
Teak Defoliator
The teak defoliator moth larvae feed on teak leaves, stripping trees up to six times annually. This repeated defoliation weakens trees and reduces timber growth. Trees expend energy regrowing leaves instead of increasing wood volume. The economic loss is substantial, estimated at 3 cubic metres of wood per hectare yearly. In Kerala alone, this translates to losses of ₹562.5 crore and ₹12,525 crore across India.
Limitations of Chemical Control Methods
Earlier efforts to control the pest involved aerial spraying of chemical pesticides. These methods raised environmental concerns and public protests, especially in Kerala and Madhya Pradesh. Chemical use also risks harming non-target species and disrupting forest ecosystems. These challenges brought into light the need for a safer, targeted pest control strategy.
HpNPV Virus
KFRI scientists identified HpNPV, a virus that infects only teak defoliator larvae. The virus multiplies inside the larvae, eventually causing lethal infection. When infected larvae die, they release massive quantities of the virus, spreading it further. Even sub-lethal infections weaken the pest and pass the virus to the next generation, ensuring long-term control. This host specificity makes HpNPV safe for other forest organisms.
Field Trials and Adoption Efforts
Field trials at Nilambur, Kerala’s teak hub, demonstrated the virus’s effectiveness in reducing pest outbreaks. The institute has trained forest department staff in monitoring infestations and applying HpNPV. The next step is formal adoption by forestry authorities to implement the technology widely. This biological control method can prevent large-scale defoliation when applied early in pest outbreaks.
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