K. Selvaraj ¹, R. Sundararaj ², T. Venkatesan ¹, Chandish R. Ballal ¹, S. K. Jalali ¹, Ankita Gupta ¹, H. K. Mrudula ¹

Affiliations
1 ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Hebbal, Bengaluru - 560024, Karnataka, IN
2 Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Malleswaram, Bengaluru - 560003, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

A invasive rugose spiraling whitefly (RSW) Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) was found infesting coconut, banana, custard apple and several ornamental plants in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala for the first time in India. The identity of the pest species was determined through morphological and molecular tools. Furthermore cytochrome c oxidase-I gene (658 bp) of RSW was sequenced (GenBank accession number KY209909) which would serve as an ideal molecular diagnostic marker for its identification irrespective of its phenotypic plasticity. During the survey, several natural enemies were recorded and maximum parasitism was recorded by Encarsia guadeloupae Viggiani (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) and its COI gene was sequenced and deposited as Encarsia sp. (GenBank accession number KY223606). Per cent parasitism ranged from 20.0 to 60.0 % in different collection locations, highest parasitism being recorded in Kerala as compared to other states. The predators recorded were Mallada sp., few coccinellids and predatory mites. This communication is the first report of the rugose spiraling whitefly, its host plant range and associated natural enemies in India.

Keywords

Aleurodicus Rugioperculatus, Host-Plants and Natural Enemies, Invasive Pest, Spiraling Whitefly.

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K. Selvaraj ¹, Ankita Gupta ¹, T. Venkatesan ¹, S. K. Jalali ¹, R. Sundararaj ², Chandish R. Ballal ¹

Affiliations
1 ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Hebbal, Bengaluru - 560024, Karnataka, IN
2 Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Malleswaram, Bengaluru - 560003, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Occurrence of the invasive rugose spiraling whitefly (RSW), Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin was found on coconut, banana, mango, guava, sapota, Indian almond, water apple, ball tree, rubber fig, butterfly palm, and ruffled fan palm for the first time in Karnataka. Severe damage was noticed in the coastal areas of Mangalore and Udupi and the infestation ranged from 20-35% in coconut and 24-38% in banana. Morphology and molecular based taxonomic tools were used to identity the pest and its natural enemies. Survey also revealed natural parasitism by the parasitoids Encarsia guadeloupae Viggiani and E. dispersa Polaszek (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) with 5-15% in coconut, 7-18% in banana and 22-30% in sapota. Besides, other commonly found natural enemies viz., Stethorus sp. associated with mites and Dichochrysa astur were also recorded. Furthermore, augmentation and conservation strategies for these parasitoids for the management of this invasive pest were discussed.

Keywords

Aleurodicus rugioperculatus, Host-Plants, Invasive Pest, Natural Enemies, Rugose Spiraling Whitefly.

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V. Velavan ¹, G. Sivakumar ¹, R. Rangeshwaran ¹, R. Sundararaj ², T. O. Sasidharan ³

Affiliations
1 ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insects Resources, Bangalore – 560024, Karnataka, IN
2 Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Bangalore – 560 003, Karnataka, IN
3 Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Bangalore – 560064, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Studies were conducted to systematically isolate Metarhizium isolates from the insect cadavers and soils of South India. Morphological and PCR amplified sequences of 5.8S ITS regions and RNA polymerase II largest subunit (RPB1) gene regions were used to identify the isolates at species level. Eight Metarhizium isolates were isolated and initially identified by morphological and microscopic studies. Further identification was confirmed through 5.8SrRNA ITS and RPB1 analysis. They were identified as three isolates of M. robertsii J.F. Bisch., Rehner & Humber sp. nov. (ArMz3R, ArMz3S and ArMz6W), one isolate of M. majus (J.R. Johnst.) J.F. Bisch., Rehner & Humber (VjMz1W) and four isolates of M. anisopliae (WnMz1S, NlMz2S, BgMz2S and DhMz4R). Topical conidial suspensions (TCS) and powder based formulations (PBF) of the eight indigenous isolates of Metarhizium spp. that were isolated from insect cadavers and soils of South India were tested against coleopteran pests Holotricha serrata L. and Oryctes rhinoceros L. that cause serious damage to sugarcane and palm trees respectively. Against H. serrata TCS of M. robertsii (ArMz6W) was the most effective with an LC₅₀ of 6.893×10⁵ cfu/ml and caused 100% mortality against the 3^rd instar larvae in 5 days; PBF elicited an LC₅₀ of 7.502×10⁵ cfu/ml with 96% mortality in 10 days. Against O. rhinoceros TCS (LC₅₀ of 9.75×10⁵ cfu/ml) of M. majus (VjMz1W) caused 90% mortality in 7 days and the PBF (LC₅₀ of 9.57×10⁵ cfu/ml) caused 86% mortality in 14 days. The results establish that M. robertsii is highly effective against H. serrata and against O. rhinoceros, M. majus was the most effective. The TCS formulations of these two strains can be readily deployed for field applications.

Keywords

Holotricha serrata, Metarhizium spp., Oryctes rhinoceros, Powder Based Formulation (PBF), Topical Conidial Suspension (TCS).

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R. Sundararaj ¹, Rashmi R. Shanbhag ¹, B. Lingappa ¹

Affiliations
1 Forest and Wood Protection Division, Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Bangalore – 560003, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

In 15 combinations of growing sandalwood with other plant species the incidence of insect pests and their predators were observed for two years from 2014 to 2015 in Karnataka. The more diversified areas recorded more species of insect pests and natural enemies but the severity of the infestations were less and resulted in no insecticidal application. In less diversified areas the severity of sap suckers and stem borers were more often seen and resulted in undertaking control measures. An analysis of sapsuckers and defoliators with the natural enemies like coccinellids, mantids and spiders showed positive linear relationship between pest and predators. The findings demonstrated that habitat diversification in growing sandalwood is an ideal option to manage the insect pest problems.

Keywords

Agroforestry, Insect Pests, Santalum album.

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