Life history strategy and behaviour of white grub, Brahmina coriacea (Hope) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) an invasive pest of potato and apple agro-ecosystem in northwestern India

Pathania, Mandeep; Chandel, Ravinder Singh

Life history strategy and behaviour of white grub, Brahmina coriacea (Hope) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) an invasive pest of potato and apple agro-ecosystem in northwestern India

2017

Pathania, Mandeep | Chandel, Ravinder Singh

White grub , Brahmina coriacea (Hope), is widespread in northwestern India, invading the areas with temperate and sub-temperate climate. Both adults and grubs are polyphagous pests. Apple and potato were severely ravaged by adults and grubs of B. coriacea , respectively. The species was most prevalent at Shillaroo, Kheradhar, Kullu, Kwagdhar, Reckong Peo, Nauni and Bharmour. B. coriacea adults were recorded on 15 host plants from the region, but apple (18.7–87.9%) and walnut (28.1–93.7%) were preferred the most. However, grubs damaged potato tubers during September–October in all potato growing areas of northwestern Indian hills. Damage was maximum (45.6% in 2011 and 40.8% in 2012) at Shillaroo and there exists positive correlation (r = 0.984) between grubs population and tuber damage. We also generated detailed information on morphological description of immature and adult stages along with the duration to complete the life cycle. B . coriacea is univoltine, having one generation per year with average duration of 303.5 days. Durations of egg, larva, pre-pupa, and pupa averaged 13.8, 262.5, 12.7 and 14.6 days, respectively. Raster of B. coriacea grub and male and female genitalia of adults were graphed as identification markers of this species. June–August months are critical for the management of this species.

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