Outbreak of looper, Perixera illepidaria Guenée, in mango in South Gujarat, India

Abstract

An outbreak of a looper, Perixera illepidaria (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) was observed on mango trees in Gujarat state of India during January to March, 2025. The period of occurrence of looper was severe in February. The larval incidence of looper ranged from 2 to 39 larvae per inflorescence, with peak incidence (27.9 larvae per panicle) recorded during 7th Standard Meteorological Week (SMW) (third week of February). Loopers fed voraciously on flowers, secondary and tertiary branches of inflorescence leaving behind only the panicle axis (rachis). This voracious feeding can cause a dried appearance of the inflorescence, reduced fruit set, and up to 80–100% damage under severe infestations, resulting in substantial yield losses. The larvae exhibited considerable colour variation across the instars, ranging from black to dark brown, often with distinct banding patterns along the body. Moreover, no any natural parasitization either on larvae and pupae were observed. This is the first record of outbreak of P. illepidaria on mango crop from Gujarat. Given the economic losses caused by outbreaks, a comprehensive management strategy emphasizing research, monitoring, and preparedness is essential to prevent future losses.