Tirathaba rufivena

Its wingspan is about {{convert|26–30|mm|in|frac=4}}. More or less developed annuli at middle and end of the cell connected by a white streak, sometimes with a spot in base of cell also joined by the white streak. The inner margin, vein 1, the interno-median interspace and veins beyond lower angle of cell streaked with crimson. A dark marginal line. The hindwings are plain pale yellow or orange yellow.{{cite book |last=Hampson |first=G. F. |authorlink=George Hampson |date=1896 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/180032#page/5/mode/1up |title=The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma |volume=Moths Volume IV |publisher=Taylor and Francis |via=Biodiversity Heritage Library}}

The larvae are an agricultural pest that feeds on Cocos nucifera, Nypa fruticans, Elaeis guineensis, Musa species, and Phaseolus species. Usually the caterpillar attacks male flowers where infestation causes abortion of young and results in underdeveloped fruits. A severe attack can wilt the plant and delay plant development. They are not borers, and only show external feeding.{{cite web | url=http://www.plantwise.org/KnowledgeBank/Datasheet.aspx?dsid=55113 | title=Coconut spike moth (Tirathaba rufivena) | publisher=Plantwise Knowledge Bank | accessdate=6 October 2016}}{{cite web |last1=Herbison-Evans |first1=Don |last2=Crossley |first2=Stella |name-list-style=amp |date=22 March 2015 |url=http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/pyra/rufivena.html |title=Tirathaba rufivena (Walker, 1864) Greater Coconut Spike Moth |website=Australian Caterpillars and their Butterflies and Moths |accessdate=24 July 2018}}

File:Tirathaba rufivena1.jpg

Biological control is the most effective method of controlling both larval and egg stages. Many different strains of parasites and pathogens are used. The pathogens such as Beauveria bassiana, and Metarhizium anisopliae are also used in many regions. An ichneumonid Venturia palmaris are experimented in Malaysia, where they attack larva in November and December.

Agrophylax basifulva, a tachinid fly, is a known parasitoid used in Fiji which has not been successfully used elsewhere because of difficulties in rearing sufficient numbers.{{cite journal|last1=Godfray|first1=H. C. J.|title=Mass rearing the tachinid fly argyrophylax basifulva, a parasitoid of the greater coconut spike moth [Tirathaba spp.] [Lep.: Pyralidae]|journal=Entomophaga|volume=30|issue=3|year=1985|pages=211–215|issn=0013-8959|doi=10.1007/BF02372221}} Another unsuccessful potential biocontrol is the entomoparasitic nematode Steinernema feltiae.{{cite journal|last1=Zelazny|first1=B.|title=Susceptibility of two Coconut Pests, Oryctes rhinoceros [Col.: Scarabaeidae] and Tirathaba rufivena [Lep.: Pyralidae], to the entomoparasitic nematode Steinernema feltiae [= Neoaplectana carpocapsae]|journal=Entomophaga|volume=30|issue=2|year=1985|pages=121–124|issn=0013-8959|doi=10.1007/BF02372244}}

Other than that, hand picking and other traditional methods are used in many countries.{{cn|date=December 2023}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260935531_Biological_control_of_Tirathaba_rufivena_in_the_Philippines Biological control of Tirathaba rufivena in the Philippines]
• [http://agris.fao.org/agris-search/search.do?recordID=PH19920003796 Biological and ecological studies of the greater coconut spike moth (Tirathaba rufivena Walker) and its natural enemies. [1989]]

{{Palm oil}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q7809150}}

Category:Moths described in 1916

Category:Tirathabini

Category:Pests of oil palm