The genus Cinnamomum

246 M. Anandaraj and S. Devasahayam
Figure 10.4 Tender leaf of cinnamon damaged by chafer beetle (Popillia complanata).
Jumping plant louse (Trioza cinnamomi)
The jumping plant louse is the most serious pest of cinnamon in Sri Lanka, causing
major crops losses. The feeding activity of the nymphs of the pest result in the formation
of galls on the leaf surface. These galls are mostly epiphyllous and are located on
the leaf lamina and shoot buds. Galls dry up after the emergence of adults. Eggs are laid
either singly or in groups on the newly emerged tender leaves. There are numerous
generations of the pest in a year and each generation lasts for 35–45 days (Rajapakse
and Kulasekara, 1982; Rajapakse and Ratnasekara, 1997).
Cinnamon blue bottle (Graphium sarpedon)
The cinnamon blue bottle is a major pest of cinnamon in Sri Lanka, whereas in India it
is of minor concern as a pest. The larvae of this pest feed voraciously on tender leaves
leaving behind only portions of midribs and veins.
The adults are large-sized butterflies with a wingspan of 80 mm with blackish brown
wings and pale greenish-blue elongated spots arranged in a row in the mid fore and
hind wings. Eggs are laid on the tender leaves and they hatch in five to six days. Newly
hatched larvae are spiny and later as they grow, they become green, with a pale yellow
line running longitudinally on the lateral and lower sides of the body. The larval period,
comprising of five instars, is completed in 29–31 days. Pupation occurs on the undersides
of leaves and lasts for 19–20 days (Rajapakse and Kulasekara, 1982).