Studies on the pests of the lac insect host plant Flemingia semialata and Flemingia macrophylla in Kerala

Abstract

The present study attempted to record the insect pests of lac insect host plants in Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Thrissur. Hand picking and swiping methods were used to collect the insects for identification. From the observation 26 species of pest insects belonging to 4 orders and 19 families were recorded. It was found that all major parts of Flemingia were heavily infested but significant damage was caused by the defoliators, mostly heterocera. Out of the 26 insect pests, 15 have been recorded as foliage feeders, 9 as sapsuckers, 1 as pod borer and 1 stem borer. During rearing, 3 species of parasites were found, belonging to three families that were collected and identified. Insects belong to the order Lepidoptera were profoundly seen on Flemingia. They cause severe damage to the plant. Hypena rectivittalis belonging to the family Noctuidae was found as a major pest and bag worm Psychids was found to be the minor pest. The study reveals that the most serious sapsuckers belong to the order Hemiptera and majority of them are beetles and bugs. During the months of April-May Iceryasp and white flies (Trialeurodes vaporarium) cause heavy damage in Flemingia. The study thus concludes that the major pests belong to the order Lepidoptera (42%) followed by order Hemiptera (41%). Most Lepidopterans are defoliators and Hemipterans are sapsuckers.