Coconut trees infested with black-headed caterpillar disease in K.R. Pet taluk

Expert advice:Entomologist Puttaraju speaking to coconut growers on how to deal with the black-headed caterpillar infestation at Doddayachenahalli, in Mandya on Tuesday.

Puttaraju, a senior entomologist at the agricultural research centre in Mysuru, has urged coconut growers to take the guidance and assistance of experts to fight black-headed caterpillar infestation that has hit coconut trees in some parts of K.R. Pet taluk.

He was addressing coconut growers at Doddayachenahalli in K.R. Pet taluk of the district on Tuesday.

The growers should use neem-based pesticides, take up the root-feeding method and spray bio-agents under the guidance of the entomologists or experts to tackle the infestation and curb its spread, he suggested.

Several thousands of trees have been affected in the area, the growers said.

They demanded compensation from the district administration and authorities concerned. Officials of various departments of growers from nearby villages were present.

The Department of Horticulture had organised the programme as the black-headed caterpillar infestation had hit trees in over 400 acres in the vicinity of Doddayachenahalli.