Another caterpillar species discovered in Kandy

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Officials of the Gannoruwa Seed Certification & Plant Protection Center have identified a certain species of yet another caterpillar that harms aquatic plants. Up to date, this caterpillar species was found only in South Africa and North America. News 1st correspondent Dammika Gunewardena said that it is the first time that a caterpillar attacking aquatic plants was reported from Katugastota, Kandy. The caterpillar belongs to the Waterlily leafcutter moth species and was discovered in Sri Lanka two weeks ago. It was discovered inside a pond located in the backyard of a house located inKatugastota. After the officials of the Plant Protection Service in Gannoruwa were informed of the case, they had kept the caterpillar inside a chamber in an aquatic environment to monitor its life circle. Additional Director of the Plant Protection Service in Gannoruwa, Dr Dayani Perera said that their unit had not had reports of this caterpillar before in the country. She said that since this species only attack aquatic plants like the Lotus and Waterlily that chemical substances should not be used adding that the removal of the part infested should be sufficient for the purpose.