The article "Monkeypod Caterpillar" describes a caterpillar or looper located on the islands that can strip monkeypod trees (Samanea saman) completely. The caterpillars are nocturnal, feeding on the foliage at night and then hiding in the bark crevices at the base of the trunk during the day. One recommendation for control is to wrap the trunk with carpet or burlap (about 5 to 6 feet from the ground is fine). If you find the loopers under the carpet in the morning, they can be treated with a contact insecticide or crushed by hand.
For insect identification services, the University of Hawaii Agricultural Diagnostic Service Center is available to the community.
