The genus Cinnamomum

244 M. Anandaraj and S. Devasahayam
Figure 10.2 Tender leaf of cinnamon damaged by leaf miner (Conopomorpha civica), early stage of damage.
Leaf miner (Conopomorpha civica)
The leaf miner infests the tender leaves of cinnamon and cassia plants in the nursery and
plantations in India, especially during the monsoon period. Larvae of the pest mine into
tender leaves and feed on the tissues between the upper and lower epidermis making
linear and tortuous mines, which end in patches (Figs 10.2 and 10.3). Infested portions
appear as blisters with the larvae inside them. Infested leaves become crinkled and malformed,
and the affected portions dry up resulting in large holes on the leaf lamina.
The adult is a minute silvery grey moth with narrow fringed wings and a wingspan
of 5 mm. The larvae are pale creamy-white, becoming pinkish red when fully grown.
Pupation occurs outside the larval mines on the leaf (Devasahayam and Koya, 1993).
An unidentified species of Conopomorpha was also reported to cause serious damage to
cinnamon in India (Singh et al., 1978).
Shoot and leaf webber (Sorolopha archimedias)
Shoot and leaf webber is a serious pest of cinnamon in India although in Sri Lanka the
pest is of minor concern. The larvae of the pest webs tender shoots and leaves and feeds
from within. Infestation is generally serious in the field during the post-monsoon period.
The adult is a small grey moth with a wingspan of 15 mm and black spots on the
forewings. Eggs are laid on newly emerged leaves and they hatch in three to four days.