New Record of Seed Pest, Alcidodes sp. indet. (Coleoptera : Curculionidae) in Cynometra beddomei Prain.- An Endemic, Endangered Legume Tree of the Southern Western Ghats

Abstract

The weevil, Alcidodes sp. indet (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) was found infest the seeds of Cynometra beddomei, an endemic and endangered legume tree of the Southern Western Ghats. The biology of Alcidodes sp. was studied. The larvae were ‘C’ shaped, measuring 9-10 mm in length, white in colour and found feeding inside the seed for a period of 20-25 days, while the pupal period lasted for 10-15 days. The adults were stout, elongate, oval and black in colour with light brown stripes. The seed infestation estimated to 80% in a fruit year of the tree later severely affected the seed output, germination, seedling emergence followed by the population reduction of species in situ. The incidence of Alcidodes sp. indet on Cynometra beddomei was found to be a new record to the species.