Identification of chemical cues of Camellia sinensis (Ericales: Theaceae) and alternate host plants for preference by tea mosquito bug Helopeltis theivora (Hemiptera: Miridae)

Abstract

The tea mosquito bug (TMB), Helopeltis theivora (Hemiptera: Miridae) is a polyphagous pest causing serious economic loss in tea plantations of north east India. The push-pull companion cropping system can be used as a component of integrated pest management system to control the pest. We examined the host plant choice of H. theivora for Duranta erecta (Lamiales: Verbenaceae), Senna tora (Fabale: Fabaceae), Lawsonia inermis (Myrtales: Lythraceae), Psidium guajava (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) and Melastoma malabathricum (Myrtales: Melastomataceae) including the primary host, Camellia sinensis (Ericales: Theaceae) using two-choice olfactometric bioassay. The growth index and relative growth index of H. theivora were calculated for different host plants. H. theivora preferred the odor released from the mechanically damaged leaves of C. sinensis and P. guajava. The further study on biochemical constituents of all the host plants reflected the role of soluble sugar, total flavonoids and terpenoids as cues for host preference by H. theivora which indicate a scope for electroantennographic assessment in future. The information generated for P. guajava preference can be utilized in trap cropping or trap formulating approaches for management of H. theivora.