The adult moth lays eggs in the mechanically damaged portions of the spadices (mostly caused by slug feeding) and the emerging caterpillars bore into the inside of the spadices
The caterpillars feed on the inflorescences especially the tender female flowers abd rachillae
They web together the rachillae into a wet mass with silken threads and take shelter in it
Spathe opening is delayed
Yellowing of spadices and presence of small holes with frass and drying on the spathe
Management
Digging and forking of the soil before and after the monsoon will help in eliminating the various developmental stages of the beetle
In case of severe attack, spray Dimethoate 30 EC (1.5 ml/ litre of water)