Shashank P. R.

Indian Agricultural Research Institute | IARI · Division of Entomology

The invasive thrips Thrips parvispinus (Karny) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is an important insect pest causing severe damage in chilli-growing areas of south India in the last two years. In the present study, its spread in north and central India in chilli and capsicum is discussed along with diagnosis, occurrence, damage symptoms. A high level of in...

Three new species of tribe Grapholitini (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutinae) from India viz., Acanthoclita bengaluruensis Reddy and Shashank, sp. nov., Grapholita constricta Reddy and Shashank sp. nov. and Thaumatotibia ramamurthyi Shashank and Reddy, sp. nov. are recorded. Descriptions and photographic illustrations of adult habitus and genit...

A new species of the genus Theorica Diakonoff, 1966 is described from Karnataka, India, namely, T. malnadense Reddy and Shashank, sp. nov. The genus Theorica Diakonoff, 1966 is reported for the first time from India and an annotated checklist of all species of genus is provided. In addition, six species viz., Gatesclarkeana idia Diakonoff, 1973, En...

Four species of soft scale insect [Hemiptera: Coccidae: Fistulococcus pokfulamensis Hodgson & Martin, Kilifia deltoides De Lotto, Maacoccus piperis (Green) and Paralecanium machili Takahashi] and two species of mealybug [Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae: Antonina thaiensis Takahashi and Formicococcus simplicior (Green)] are recorded in India for the first...

A new leafhopper species Phlogotettix unicus sp. n. is described and illustrated from Arunachal Pradesh, Khonsa, India. A morphological variant is also described which has high resemblances to the holotype in the mtCOI gene region. Type material is deposited in the National Pusa Collection (NPC), Division of Entomology, Indian Council of Agricultur...

Background and Objective: Invasive thrips, Thrips parvispinus Karny recently reported in India, causing a widespread severe infestation in more than 0.4 million ha of chilli (Capsicum annum L.) growing areas. This species is native to Thailand and most prevalent in other South East Asian countries. Large scale cultivation of the major host plants (...

Background The invasive barnacle scale, Ceroplastes cirripediformis Comstock (Hemiptera: Coccidae), is a pest native to South America and the Caribbean islands that has recently emerged as a serious threat to agricultural, horticultural, ornamental, medicinal, and aromatic plants. Finding indigenous natural enemies to control the invasive pests is...

Management of pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.), an important legume crop, has been a pertinent endeavor globally. As with other crops, wild relatives of pigeonpea are bestowed with various resistance traits that include the ability to deter the H. armigera. Understanding the molecular basis of pod borer resistance cou...

A sporadic outbreak of the rare lepidopteran insect pest Coconympha iriarcha Meyrick (Gelechiidae: Lepidoptera) was recorded on the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.) (Arecales: Arecaceae). The larvae of these can be differentiated from the larvae of Opisina arenosella, the black headed caterpillar, by its size and colour. The former is with yellowis...

A host association for Syncola crypsimorpha (Meyrick, 1922) is discovered after 100 years, since its original description. In India, two blastobasid species, Syncola crypsimorpha (Meyrick, 1922) and S. pulverea (Meyrick, 1907) (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea), are predators of cultured lac, Kerria lacca (Kerr, 1782) (Hemiptera: Kerridae). Descriptions,...

Insect fauna occupy the largest proportion of animal biodiversity on earth, but the assessment or quantification in terms of species diversity is far from complete. Several recent studies have demonstrated the rapid pace at which insect population decline is occurring. There is an urgent need to document and quantify the diversity of insect fauna f...

The present manuscript deals with the new state records of five tortricid species from Himachal Pradesh: Clepsis rurinana (Linnaeus, 1758), Lumaria probolias (Meyrick, 1907), Bactra furfurana (Haworth, 1811), B. venosana (Zeller, 1847) and Gibberifera obscura (Diakonoff, 1964).

The genus Baburia Koçak, 1981 of the tribe Olethreutini is newly recorded from India. Two new species B. tinsukiaensis Shashank, n. sp., and B. chettalliensis Shashank and Santhosh, n. sp. are described. This increases the number of species of Baburia to five. Photographic illustrations after the description of two new taxa, checklist and key to sp...

The South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), has invaded most Afro-Eurasian countries and is threatening worldwide tomato production. Various strategies have been developed and implemented to manage this pest. Here, we present a timely review on the up-to-date development and practical implementation of int...

Wood feeding insects are the economically important group of arthropods that cause severe damage to the agricultural, horticultural crops and forest trees. These primarily belong to the orders Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera and Blattodea of class Insecta under phylum Arthropoda. The larvae of wood feeding insects are the most damaging stages...

DNA barcoding is a DNA-based taxonomy tool to identify species based on the pattern of nucleotide sequence in a fragment of DNA of a particular species. Reliable databases can be built by performing cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX 1) sequencing on specimens identified earlier. DNA barcoding has become important for specimen identification and d...

Diagnosis, biology and management of Fall armyworm in Hindi Language

Murraya koenigii (L.), an indigenous spice plant belongs to Rutaceae is highly valued for its aroma and medicinal value and is a basic ingredient in the southern culinary. In present study reports the infestation of white tortoise beetle, Silana farinosa (Boheman) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on curry leaf at Kappanahalli village, Shivamogga, Karnat...

Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a serious polyphagous pest of various field and horticultural crops. A complete knowledge on the morphological features of antennal sensory structures is essential for efficient semiochemical-based control methods. The external structure and distribution of antennal sensilla in male and fema...

New challenges appear with every biological invasion and presses need to probe their ecological interactions. In the comprehensive yet complicated food web associated with the niche of the recently invaded cassava mealybug (CMB) Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), there was a multitrophic interaction structured vertical...

There have been several recent checklists, books and publications about Indian moths; however, much of this work has focused on biodiversity hotspots such as North-east India, Western Ghats and Western Himalayas. There is a lack of published literature on urban centres in India, despite the increased need to monitor insects at sites with high level...

Thirteen species of stemborers attacking graminaceous crops, belonging to five genera viz. Chilo Zincken, 1817; Scirpophaga Treitschke, 1832; Bissetia Kapur, 1950; Emmalocera Ragonot, 1888; Sesamia (Guenee, 1852) have been redescribed with current valid names, synonyms, authors, distribution, and host plants. The specimens were identified from char...

The coelidiinae leafhopper genus Baseprocessa Fan & Li is newly recorded from India based on the description of B. patkaensis Meshram sp. nov. and a proposed new combination, B. serratispatulata (Viraktamath & Meshram) comb. nov. Materials are deposited in the National Pusa Collection, Division of Entomology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Insti...

The oriental sugarcane thrips, Fulmekiola serrata (Kobus) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is a serious pest in sugarcane growing countries of South and Southeast Asia. Correct diagnosis of thrips at initial stage of infestation is essential prerequisite for minimizing yield loss with immediate intervention of management practices. Thrips were collected...

Pink stem borer, Sesamia inferens (Walker, 1856) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is reported to infest many graminaceous crops and cause significant losses. S. inferens cause damage by killing the central shoot and producing a characteristic symptom called "dead heart". Since graminaceous crops are an important source of food for humans and their livestoc...

Aim: The present study aimed at reporting the occurrence of pest, Pyrausta panopealis on sweet basil Ocimum basilicum. The biological parameters and population dynamics of the pest was studied on its newly reported host plant. Methodology: The present study aimed at reporting the occurrence of pest, Pyrausta panopealis on sweet basil Ocimum basilic...

Anthropogenic activities influence rapid environmental changes on earth and the reality of climate change is a significant feature in implementing conservation action plans in many countries. The knowledge of biodiversity data is an increasingly important source of information in studies of biogeography and conservation. Presence of temporal, spati...

The Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Dalma Hills about 10 km north of the city of Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India, is topographically and climatically unique. It encompasses a forested area of over 195 km2 east of the Singhbhum and Saraikela-kharsawan districts of Jharkhand, extending from Chandil about 40 km eastward, running nearly parallel...

Here we report about the discovery of the poplar leaf miner, Phyllonorycter populifoliella (Treitschke) in India. The mines of this micromoth were found in noticeable density on the leaves of poplar, Populus sp. (Salicaceae) in the northern mountainous region Ladakh in 2017-2018. We provide short morphological diagnosis, describe bionomics and anal...

The shoot and fruit borer, Earias vittella Fab. (Lepidoptera: Nolidae) is an important and most devastating insect pest on okra and cotton. The pest mainly responsible for causing significant direct damage to tender shoots and fruits of okra, flowers and green bolls of cotton causing net yield loss in both crops. Many non-chemical control strategie...

A study was conducted to investigate the occurrence of insect pests in the ber orchards in Punjab during 2017 and 2018. The infestation of Cadra cautella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) was observed in ber fruits at the Fruit Research Farm, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during November-December. About 10% fruits of variety Sanaur were...

Citripestis borer

Aim: Methodology: Results: Interpretation: The aim of this study was to develop species specific marker for quick identification of two Conogethes species and to study their molecular diversity. Species-specific markers were developed using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 (COI) partial gene sequences of Conogethes punctiferalis and C. sahyadrien...

The five species, Harutaeographa brumosa Yoshimoto, 1994, Nyctycia asymmetrica Hreblay & Ronkay, 1998, Hemiglaea costigera Hreblay & Ronkay, 1998, Owadaglaea barna Hreblay & Ronkay, 1998, and O. triangulifera Hreblay & Ronkay, 1998 are reported for the first time from the Himalayan region of India, Bhutan and China. For two species, N. asymmetrica...

Severe incidence of striped flea beetle, Phyllotreta striolata (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in radish is being reported from Delhi National Capital Region and Haryana. The larvae and adult of this species were found to damage both roots and leaves of radish, respectively. Overall there was an average 63.02 percent leaf infestation and 53...

This study represents a detailed taxonomic account of 31 species of Plusiinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from India. The survey and collection of 39 localities from different regions of India between 2015 and 2018. The tribe Argyrogrammatini Eichlin & Cunningham, 1978 with Ctenoplusia Dufey, 1970 was the most species rich genera with seven species, f...

The new leafhopper genus Vittaliana reticulata gen. nov., sp. nov., is described from India, and placed in the tribe Opsiini based on ocelli close to eyes, without carina on anterior margin of the face and bifurcate aedeagus with two gonopores. Phylogenetic analysis with maximum likelihood (ML) using IQtree v1.4.1 of combined data (Histone H3 and 2...

Green garden looper, Chrysodeixis eriosoma, has emerged as one of the major insect pests of agronomic and vegetable crops causing considerable crop losses. In the present study, samples from eleven different localities of India were used for the investigation of genetic diversity of C. eriosoma by employing a fragment in the mtDNA gene-encoding cyt...

Insects are the most numerous and diverse group of animals in the entire animal kingdom. Insect classification has evolved in different phases over a considerable period of time. There are four different phases or eras, ., the Pre-Linnean Era, the Linnean Era, the Darwinian Era, and the Hennigian Era and other developments. Among all eras the Henni...

The South American tomato pinworm Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a recent invasion in India, causing widespread infestations in tomato crop in the States of central peninsula, especially Maharashtra and Karnataka. Hitherto, this pest was not reported to occur in India and thus presumed to be of exotic origin. The present stud...

Increasing demand for grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) worldwide makes it a high-value crop and also an important, valuable export commodity for India. In February 2016, a vineyard from Maharashtra, India was identified with entirely new insect damage symptoms from those observed earlier. After, further inspection, a new type of wood borer was noticed wh...

Abundant biological diversity of India is more vulnerable to the invasion of new insects. The entry of invasive insects is increased across the globe due to the liberalization of trade and increased movement of human beings across the continents. There are 23 different invasive insect pests recorded in India. The exact monitory values of the losses...

The fall army worm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a destructive invasive insect pest of cereal crops native to American continent. It is a polyphagous insect with host range of more than 353 plant species and maize is a preferred host. This pest is a strong flier and can fly up to 500 km before oviposition. Present s...

Since its initial detection in Turkey in 2009, the invasive destructive pest South American tomato pinworm Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), has started its new invasion journey to East and invaded most Asian countries. This pest currently causes extensive damage to tomato production and threatens key production areas such as Chin...

Legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata, has lately emerged as one of the major insect pests of pigeonpea causing considerable crop losses. Thus, efficient management of M. vitrata is an important component for sustained pigeonpea productivity for which information on insect diversity could be useful. Present study was undertaken to evaluate the diversity...

The phylogeny of the Pseudosubhimalus were investigated using of two different data sets, including 91 taxa and 3853 aligned nucleotide positions from the histone H3 , 28S rDNA (D2 & D9–10 region). The results suggest the placement of genus in the tribe Ciacadulini, as it was clustered with Cicadulini genera. Relationships between genera of the Cic...

In the recent past, mango inflorescence in India are being heavily attacked by multiple species of polyphagous caterpillars belonging to families viz., Crambidae, Nolidae, Lymantridae, Tortricidae, Eutellidae, Hespiiridae, Pyralidae, Noctuidae etc. (Order: Lepidoptera). These caterpillars are causing severe damage to mango flowers than conventional...

Incidence of gall weevil, Pachyonyx quadridens Chev. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on Butea monosperma in Bundelkhand region of India.

Butea monosperma (Palash) is a source of several Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). Several insect pests have been reported on B.monosperma.In recent years, gall weevil P. quadridens has been observed as common pest threatening to the Palash in the Bundelkhand region.The study was conducted at ICAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute, Jhansi r...

We present a list of 282 species of moths recorded during surveys conducted over 31 survey nights during a 3-year period in Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) and Ponmudi, Kerala, India. Shendurney WLS and Ponmudi are part of the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve in the southern Western Ghats, which is one of India’s three biodiversity hotspots. She...

DNA barcoding of Antoculeora ornatissima (Walker, 1858) was done for the first time from India. Redescriptions of genitalia and diagnoses of genus and species are presented with images and illustrations.

Eight species belonging to six genera viz., Thysanoplusia Ichinose, Chrysodeixis Hubner, Trichoplusia McDunnough, Argyrogramma Hubner, Autographa Hubner and Anadevidia Kostrowicki of the subfamily Plusiinae were collected from different parts of India. Among these eight species considered as important pests in agricultural ecosystems. This paper pr...

A new borer, Conogethes sahyadriensis (Shashank PR, Kammar V, Mally R, Chakravarthy AK, Zootaxa 4374:215–234, 2018), has been reported on cardamom from South India. This borer is a sister species of Conogethes pluto that is widely distributed in Australia and Thailand. Hitherto, C. sahyadriensis was classified under Conogethes punctiferalis. The ne...

Conogethes sp. is a large taxon that infests more than 120 wild and cultivated host plants across the world. So far, several scientists have studied this group of moth pests to appreciate the genetic variability in the genus; however, owing the complexity at genetic and ecological levels, it has become difficult to understand this group of moths. T...

South American tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is an important invasive pest of Tomato which invaded India and Nepal in 2014 and 2016, respectively. In the present study, samples from five localities of India and one from Nepal were used for the investigation of genetic diversity of T. absoluta by employ...

A new species of leafhopper Paradorydium kirkaldyi sp. nov. (from Himachal Pradesh: Kinnaur: Powri) from India, is described. Detailed photographic illustration, annotated checklist and modified key to the species of India is also provided. This species closely resembles P. khasianum Viraktamath but differs in male genitalia characters and molecula...

The noctuid species, Owadaglaea elongata Hreblay & Ronkay, 1998 was found in Eastern Himalayan region and is reported for the first time from India. The adults male and female genitalia of the species are illustrated with new distributional range.

A catalogue of the Indian species of the genus Frisilia Walker is provided, with eight previously known and one new species, F. chandrai sp. nov. described from India. In addition, the other new species, F. yangbaei sp. nov. described from Cambodia and Thailand is also included. A key for the Indian species is given. Images of adults and male genit...

A new species, Conogethes sahyadriensis sp. nov. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), feeding on cardamom, is described from India. The species status is supported by diagnostic morphology as well as by genetic data. A phylogenetic analysis based on the publicly available Conogethes COI barcode sequences finds C. sahyadriensis as sister to C. pluto, and it fu...

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a recently invaded pest to India and causing havoc in both open field tomatoes and in protected crops. Present study was conducted to understand the influence of weather parameters on the Tuta absoluta in open field and in polyhouse tomatoes in Kharif, 2015 and Rabi, 2015-1...

Conogethes punctiferalis (Crambidae: Lepidoptera) is an important pest of castor, Ricinus communis.The Conogethes species population infesting cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum in India was earlierthought to be C. punctiferalis. This is because moths of both populations appear similar in morphology,particularly wing patterns and colour. The moths too...

DNA barcoding of Antoculeora ornatissima (Walker, 1858) was done for the first time from India. Redescriptions of genitalia and diagnoses of genus and species are presented with images and illustrations.

In the recent past, mango inflorescences in India are being heavily attacked by multiple species of polyphagous caterpillars belonging to families viz., Crambidae, Nolidae, Lymantridae, Tortricidae, Eutellidae, Hespiiridae, Pyralidae, Noctuidae etc. (Order: Lepidoptera). These caterpillars are causing severe damage to mango flowers than conventiona...

Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is a destructive insect pest and vector of Begomoviruses (family Geminiviridae) which transmits virus diseases in several important crop plants leading to severe losses in yield and quality. Whiteflies also attack and cause direct feeding damage to large number of plant species. The pest has been extensively stu...