Medicinal Plant Pests Massonia Caterpillars

The scientific name of this insect is *Dendrolimus punctatus* Walker, which belongs to the order Lepidoptera. It is commonly known as the pine caterpillar and is widely distributed across various provinces in China, including Henan, Shaanxi, Jiangsu, Anhui, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, and Taiwan. This species primarily attacks several species of pines, such as *Pinus massoniana*, *Pinus thunbergii*, *Pinus taiwanensis*, *Pinus elliottii*, and loblolly pine. The larvae feed on the needles, often causing extensive damage that can resemble a fire in the forest, leading to the death of entire pine stands. In recent years, outbreaks have become more frequent in low mountainous and hilly regions. Additionally, the insect's toxic hairs can cause skin irritation or erosion when they come into contact with humans. These hairs can also contaminate water sources, posing a risk to public health. Adults have a body length ranging from 20 to 35 mm. Females have wings measuring 48 to 80 mm, while males have wings between 38 to 62 mm. Their body color varies, including yellow-brown, gray-brown, and brown. The forewings feature 4–5 dark brown horizontal lines, a single white spot in the middle chamber, and 8–9 near-crescent-shaped dark brown patches along the sub-endline. There are also three spots at the hip angle. Males tend to be darker with more pronounced markings, and their antennae are feathery. Female moths are larger, slightly lighter in color, with short, toothed antennae and a thicker abdomen. Eggs are oval, about 1.4 mm long, pink in color, and turn dark purple when hatching. They are laid in clusters on pine needles. The last instar larvae measure 40–80 mm in length, with colors ranging from reddish-brown to black. Their heads are brown, and they have blue-black poisonous hair bands on the back of the thorax and abdomen. Between these bands are yellow-white hairs. The larvae also have narrow, flat lamellae on their bodies, with dentate projections at the apex, and long white hairs along the sides. A longitudinal white stripe runs from the mid-thorax to the eighth abdominal segment. The pupa is 20–27 mm long, chestnut brown or dark reddish-brown, with yellow hairs between the segments and a slender, hooked tip at the end of the abdomen. The life cycle typically involves two generations in Henan and the Yangtze River Valley, with up to three generations in Anhui, and three to four generations in Guangdong, Guangxi, southern Fujian, and Hainan. Some regions may experience up to five generations. Overwintering occurs in bark crevices or coniferous trees, with larvae emerging in early March. By mid-April, they begin feeding, and by early May, they enter the pupal stage. Adults emerge in May and live for 5–9 days. The first generation of larvae appears in early June, followed by the second generation in early August and the third in late September. The second-generation larvae start pupating in mid-August, while the third generation eggs hatch in mid-September, and the cycle continues until winter. Adults are attracted to light and mostly lay eggs at night. Each female can lay dozens to hundreds of eggs, with an egg period lasting 6–11 days. Larvae go through six instars, with the first two instars being gregarious and dropping when disturbed. From the third to fourth instar, they stop spinning and develop a jumping behavior. When frightened, they often bend their head downward and raise their chest hairs. The larval stage lasts 34–56 days, and the final instar pupates on pine needles, under bark, or on shrubs, taking 11–22 days to complete development. Both larvae and adults can migrate, with larvae spreading in groups when food is scarce. Adults can fly up to 0.5–2 km. The pest is commonly found in low mountains or hills below 500 meters, on trees around 10 years old, with sparse canopy coverage, making them more susceptible to infestation. Control methods include creating mixed forests to promote biodiversity and support natural predators. Spraying 50% malathion emulsifiable concentrate (1000 times dilution) or 50% killer pine soluble emulsifiable concentrate (1000 times) during the overwintering and later generations is effective. Alternatively, 90% trichlorfon crystals diluted 900 times can be used. For ground application, 2.5% trichlorfon powder at 3 kg per 667 m² is recommended. Ultra-low-volume sprays using a mixture of DDVP, malathion, and second-line oil in a 1:1:3 ratio can be applied at 100–150 mL per 667 m². Pyrethroids like 2.5% or 5% deltamethrin or 20% cypermethrin can be sprayed at 1–2 ml per 3000–4000 times water. In severe cases, ultra-low-volume aerosol sprays of pyrethroids at 500–1000 times dilution may be used. Biological control includes releasing 100,000 *Trichogramma* wasps per 667 m² during the adult egg-laying stage.

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