First report of flower chafer beetle, Oxycetonia versicolor, on pigeonpea and mungbean from Punjab, India

Abstract

The occurrence of flower chafer beetle, Oxycetonia versicolor (Fabricius) (Scarabaeidae: Coleoptera) damaging the flowers of important grain legumes such as pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) and mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) is reported for the first time from Punjab, India. Heavy infestation of these flower beetles at flowering may cause considerable damage to these crops. A mild to moderate level of infestation of 15–17 beetles per ten plants was recorded at the time of peak flowering period on both the grain legumes. Adult beetles devour the flowers and buds, thereby greatly reducing the number of pods that are set. Information on important taxonomic characters of the beetle is highlighted in this report. Careful monitoring and timely reporting on this chafer beetle is necessary to avoid any future outbreak.