The moths have a dark grey brown forewing with an irregular and diffuse white band from base to apex with a few black spots on the basal and sub-basal portions. The hind wing is bright yellow with a black border on the apical portion. Head and thorax are greyish brown and the abdomen is golden yellow in colour with a series of black spots on the dorsal and lateral sides. The female moth lays eggs in groups of 5 – 55 on the under surface of tender leaves. Larval period is 22-23 days normally. Young larva is yellowish green with white hairs all over the body. Late stage larvae are bright yellow with a black head and thick black bands on the dorsal surface of the body. White long fine hairs are distributed all over the body surface. The mature larvae nearing completion of the feeding stage descend down to the main trunk and prepare boat shaped cocoons over surface of the bark and pupate within. Large number of pupae can be seen studded around on the main trunk of the tree. Pupae can also been seen on base of the thicker branches. The cocoons are deposited with fine hairs which can cause irritation as they come in contact with skin. The pest takes more than a month to complete the life-cycle.

    The caterpillars feed voraciously on entire leaf and cause complete defoliation which severely affects the growth of the plant. Epidemics of the pest completely denude the entire nurseries and young plantations.

Mechanical

     As a mechanical control egg masses and larvae at a low intensity can be collected from foliage and destroyed by dropping them into a tin full of water containing a layer of kerosene. Pupal clusters studded over the trunk and branches can be removed or scraped away and burnt or crushed. Practicing this strategy in severely affected plantations for two to three years continuously will bring down the pest population and minimize the attack.

Chemicals

     Spraying of chemicals such as Monocrotophos 36EC or Dicholrvos 76WSC at 2ml/litre of water at 10 to 12 days intervals is found effective in controlling the pest. Tobacco extract (5%) and Pungam oil (2%) can also be sprayed alternatively with a gap of 15days.