Outbreak of Poinciana looper moth, Pericyma cruegeri (Butler) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) in the Korba district of Chhattisgarh

Poinciana looper, Pericyma cruegeri (Butler) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) is an endemic Indian defoliator of Poinciana (Delonix regia) and yellow poinciana (Peltophorum pterocarpum) trees. Poinciana looper larvae cause extensive defoliation, reduced flowering, and become a nuisance to residents as caterpillars drop from trees. Morphology based taxonomic tools were used for the identification of this pest. Severe damage was noticed in Korba and Katghora region of Chhattisgarh during August 2020. The larvae feed on the foliage of Caesalpiniaceae species, including Peltophorum pterocarpum and Delonix regia and cause extensive damage. They feed communally at first but separate when grown older. Abiotic factors like heavy rain affected the looper incidence significantly and decreased the population to negligibility. The survey also revealed natural parasitism by pupal parasitoid Exorista civiloides (Diptera: Tachinidae). Generalist predators including preying mantids (Hierodula patellifera), pentatomid bugs (Eocanthecona furcellata) and predatory wasps (Brachymeria albotibialis)- as well as chickens - are also recorded attacking P. cruegeri larvae.