International Journal for Life Sciences and Educational Research

Vol. 2(4), pp. 113 - 120, October - 2014 Research Article Available online at http://www.ijlser.com E-ISSN : 2321-1229; P-ISSN : 2321-1180 Pest problems of some commercially important bamboo species in Assam, India R. Raja Rishi*, N.D. Barthakur, R.K. Borah, Rajesh Kumar and Shailesh Pandey

Article History : ReceiveForestd Protection10 July 201 Division,4, Accepted Rain Forest28 September Research201 Institute,4 Jorhat – 785 001 (Assam) India.

Abstract

Pest surveys were carried out in Golaghat, Jorhat, Kamrup, Nagaon, Sivasagar and Sonitpur balcooa Bambusa nutans Bambusa pallida Bambusa tulda districts of Assam State, India for the pest species infesting different commercially important bamboo species such as , , and during the Antonina Ceratovacuna silvestrii Palmicultor period from 2010-13 and recorded 31 pests and one mite belonging to various orders. Based lumpurensis, Psara licarsisalis, Crocidophora ., Pyrausta coclesalis, Hexacentrus unicolor on the intensity of pest attack, the sap feeders sp., and sondaica Discophora the defoliators sp sondaica Nemetis chandica Myzus obtusirostris Bambusa pallida, and were categorized as major pests. Six new hosts were recorded as Bambusa tulda Ceratovacuna silvestrii Bambusa nutans , and on the defoliator Crocidophora Discophora sondaica Hexacentrus unicolor Parasa Psara licarsisalis on and the aphid on during the study. The Pyrausta coclesalis defoliating pests sp., , , sp., , were found high during the month from May to August and the sap sucking pests were Keywords : Myzus obtusirostris Ceratovacuna silvestrii found high during the month of January to March. Infestation, sap feeders, defoliator, and Introduction

However, two thirds of the growing stock Bamboo, the poor man’s timber is a woody of bamboo in the country are available in the grass belonging to the family . There are north-eastern states which supports about 50% more than 1,250 species under 75 genera of of the total genetic resources. This natural bamboo reported in worldwide, which were resource plays a major role in the livelihood of unevenly distributed in the various parts of the rural people and in rural industry. Bamboo has humid tropical, sub-tropical and temperate versatile uses as building material, paper pulp regions of the earth (Subramaniam, 1998). India resource, scaffolding, food, agricultural imple- is very rich in bamboo diversity, and there are ments, fishing rods, weaving material, substitute 124 indigenous and exotic species under 23 for rattan, plywood and particle board manufacture. genera, found naturally, or under cultivation Pickled or stewed bamboo shoots are regarded (Naithani, 1993). An estimated 8.6 million ha as delicacies in many parts of the country, forest area of the country contains bamboo (Rai particularly in North eastern part of India. The and Chauhan, 1998). Bamboo generally forms major use of bamboo in India is the paper Bambusa the understory in the natural forests. The most industry, which consumes sizeable proportion of balcooa, B. nutans, B. pallida B. tulda, suitable conditions for the occurrence of bamboo the total annual bamboo production. and are the found between 770-1080 meters above sea level. 113

*Corresponding Author : R.Raja Rishi , Email : [email protected] Raja Rishi et al., IJLSER, Vol 2 (4) : 113 – 120, 2014

bamboo species getting importance in the recent pest attack, calculationa were made as per the past and are widely planted in most part of north- prescribed methods of assessment of insect eastern states of India. These bamboo species pest incidence in nurseries and plantations are susceptible to insect pest attack, particularly (Prasanth Jacob, 2008). The recorded pests the coccids, sapsuckers and defoliators. A study were categorized into major and minor pests. on the status of pest problems of Bamboo in In nurseries, the average insect numbers per strictus India, showed that at least 25% of the standing bed or per plant has to be assessed if a culms of were damaged considerable amount of injury or population Pyrausta coclesalis Algedonia by stem-boring beetles (Singh, 1990). The build up is evident by a visual abundance of bambucivora leaf rollers and in nursery beds. Closely related groups B.nutans (Pyralidae: ) were of insects can be assessed with the same reported on (Senthilkumar, 2008). technique. In the case of scale insects, Aphids, Palmicultor lumpurensis Charles Bronson (2002) reported a bamboo mealy Psyllids etc., the percentage of injured or damaged Bambusa oldhamii bug (Coccoid) causing seedlings can be considered as measure of level severe damage to the in Lake of insect population. The infestation level is low Buena Vista (US). Heavy infestation of this mealy if 25% or less than 25% of seedlings in a bed bug have the potential to cause an abortion of are affected. It is medium if 26-60% of seedlings Bambusa new shoots. This pest was already reported on are affected. If more than 60% of seedlings are sp. (Takahashi, 1950 and Ben Dov, 1994). affected the high level of infestation is recorded. As there is no detailed information available on In plantations, quadrants of 10 m × 10 m Pyrausta the pest problems on these Bamboo species size can be marked randomly and the culm coclesalis Algedonia bambucivora except some report of the leaf rollers therein can be assessed for pest incidence. Based B. nutans and (Pyralidae: on the spacing between the clumps the size of Lepidoptera) on in this region. It is the quadrants can be increased or decreased essential to assess the insect pest problems on to include a minimum number of culm inside these species and to study their range of the quadrants. In another situation 20 - 30 culm distribution, incidence, intensity of the attack and at random was counted in quadrants. The number factors responsible for the pest build up etc. A of culm infested and uninfested in each quadrant systematic insect survey and documentation of were counted and average percentage of culm Results various types of pests, mode of infestation of infested was calculated in a plantation. the pests on the plants, assessment of damage and insect population levels in nurseries and A total of 32 insect pests recorded and Materials and Methods plantations were studied in detail. identified on the selected bamboo species. Based on the incidence and intensity of insect pest Regular field surveys were conducted in attack, these pests were categorized in to major selected Bamboo nurseries and plantations in and minor pests. Out of the seven species of Assam to study the pest problems. Seven nurseries, sap feeders, nineteen species of leaf feeders, twenty three plantation locations in Assam were three species of shoot/culm borers and three selected for the study. The pests recorded during species of root feeders, four species of sap feeders the field visit were documented and identified by and six defoliators were adjudged as major pests sending the specimens to the subject experts. in Assam State (Table - 1). Out of all the insect Based on the incidence and intensity of insect pests recorded, six new hosts were recorded as Available online at www.ijlser.com, © 2014, All Right Reserved 114 Raja Rishi et al., IJLSER, Vol 2 (4) : 113 – 120, 2014

Table – 1. List of Insect pests of selected bamboo species and the pest status

Bamboo species Pest Name of pest Order Family Nature of attack attacked status SAP FEEDERS Antonina Bambusa nutans B. tulda sp. Hemiptera Pseudococcidae The mealy bugs Major Aphrophora Bambusaand nutans will suck the sap of B. balcooa the tender shoots sp. Homoptera Cercopidae B.pallida , Nymphs suck sap Minor and from Astegopteryx Bambusa tulda, B. leaf buds, leaf nutans sheaths and twigs sp. Homoptera Aphididae B.pallida Both adults and Minor and nymphs suck the Ceratovacuna Bambusa tulda, B. sap of the leaves silvestrii nutans and tender shoots Homoptera Aphididae B.balcooa The aphids suck Major and the sap of the DolichothripsTakahashi Bambusa nutans leaves and tender B.pallida shoots sp. Thysanoptera Phlaeothripidae The adult and Minor and nymphs suck the Myzus Bambusa tulda sap of young leaves obtusirostris B.pallida and shoots Homoptera Aphididae The aphids suck Major and the sap of the PalmicultorDavid,Narayanan Bambusa nutans leaves and tender lumpurensis& Rajesh B.tulda shoots Hemiptera Pseudococcidae The mealy bugs Major and will suck the sap of LEAF(Takahashi) FEEDERS the leaves and Baoris farri Bambusa tulda tender shoots B.nutans Lepidoptera Hesperiidae The larva feeds the Minor ConocephalusMoore Bambusaand tulda tender leaves maculates Orthoptera Tettigoniidae The adult feeds the Minor Le tender as well the CrocidophoraGuillou Bambusa nutans matured leaves B.tulda, B.balcooa sp. Lepidoptera Pyraustidae B.pallida , The larva rolls up Major green leaves with and silken thread and Dasychira Bambusa tulda feeds on the inner B.nutans leaves sp. Lepidoptera Lymantriidae The larvae feeds Minor and the tender as well the matured leaves. Available online at www.ijlser.com, © 2014, All Right Reserved 115 Raja Rishi et al., IJLSER, Vol 2 (4) : 113 – 120, 2014

Bamboo species Pest Name of pest Order Family Nature of attack attacked status Discophora Bambusa tulda sondaica B.pallida Lepidoptera The larva feeds the Major Euproctis Bambusaand tulda B. tender as well the (Boisduval) nutans matured leaves sp. Lepidoptera Lymantriidae B.pallida , The larvae feeds Minor Hexacentrus Bambusaand tulda the tender as well unicolor B.pallida the matured leaves Orthoptera Tettigoniidae The adult feeds the Major Serville, and tender as well the Matapa1831 aria B.balcooa matured leaves B.pallida Nemetis chandica Lepidoptera Hesperiidae B.balcooa and The larva feeds the Minor Moore B.pallida tender leaves Lepidoptera Nymphalidae and The larva feeds the Minor Oxya(Moore) nitidula Bambusa tulda tender leaves and B.nutans young leaf buds Orthoptera Acrididae The nymphs and Minor (Walker, 1870). and adults feed on the leaf and in severe cases the entire Oxya Bambusa tulda leaf may be eaten B.balcooa away sp. Orthoptera Acrididae The adult feeds the Minor Pantana Bambusaand tulda, tender as well the B.balcooa matured leaves sp. Lepidoptera Lymantriidae B.pallida The larvae feeds Minor Parasa Bambusa tuldaand the tender as well B.balcooa the matured leaves. sp. Lepidoptera Limacodidae Larvae feed in Major and groups on leaf surface and Phaneroptera Bambusa tulda consume all leaf gracilis B.balcooa tissues Orthoptera Tettigoniidae The adult feeds the Minor Psara licarsisalis Bambusaand nutans, tender as well the Burmeister, 1838 B.tulda, B.balcooa matured leaves Lepidoptera Pyraustidae B.pallida The larva rolls up Major Wlk. green leaves and Pteroma Bambusaand tulda feeds on the inner B.nutans leaves Pyraustasp. Lepidoptera Psychidae Bambusa nutans, The lava feeds the Minor coclesalis B.tulda,and B.balcooa tender leaves Lepidoptera Pyraustidae B.pallida The larvae tie the Major Walker leaves together as and leaf cases and feed on the upper tissues of the leaves

Available online at www.ijlser.com, © 2014, All Right Reserved 116 Raja Rishi et al., IJLSER, Vol 2 (4) : 113 – 120, 2014

Bamboo species Pest Name of pest Order Family Nature of attack attacked status Schizotetranychus Bambusa nutans B.tulda Sylepta derogata Acariformes Tetranychidae Bambusa nutans Mites feed on the Minor sp. and B.tulda leaf surface Lepidoptera Pyraustidae The larva rolls up Minor Fab. and green leaves and SHOOT/CULM BORERS feeds on the inner leaves Oligia Bambusa balcooa

sp. Lepidoptera Noctuidae Larva mine into the Minor Oligia vulgaris Bambusa tulda shoots and feed B.pallida inside Lepidoptera Noctuidae Larva mine into the Minor PareuplexiaButler Bambusaand balcooa shoots and feed B.nutans inside sp. Lepidoptera Noctuidae Larva mine into the Minor ROOT FEEDERS and shoots and feed the softest region Holotrichia Bambusa tulda B.pallida sp. Coleoptera Scarabaeidae B.balcooa , Grubs feed on fine Minor and rootlets and then Microtermes Bambusa nutans girdle the main B.balcooa root sp. Isoptera Termitidae Termites hollow Minor and out or de-bark the Odontotermes Bambusa balcooa root system.

sp. Isoptera Termitidae Termites hollow Minor out or de-bark the Discophora sondaica Nemetis chandica root system. B. pallida, Baoris farri B. tulda et al. and on Ceratovacuna silvestrii B. nutans Myzus reported on various bamboo species (Tewari on and the aphids, obtusirostris B.pallida 1992). However, Wang (1998) revised the on and insect pests of bamboo from Asia and reported Discussion Pyrausta coclesalis on . 122 pests associated with bamboo in India. The defoliating leaf roller, This survey led to the collection of 32 (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) was recorded as an species of pests belonging to eight orders i.e. important pest and reported to cause severe Bambusa tulda, Hemiptera, Homoptera, Thysanoptera, Lepidop- damage on bamboo nursery seedlings and young B. balcooa, B. pallida, Dendrocalamus giganteus, tera, Orthoptera, Coleoptera and Isoptera, and plants of the bamboo species B. vulgaris B. nutans one species from Acariformes. Out of these pest species, four species of sap feeders and six and in India (Seethalakshmi Crypsiptya coclesalis defoliators were adjudged as major pests and and Muktesh Kumar, 1998). Bamboo leaf roller Dendrocalamus strictus twenty two pests as minor pests, based on the , recorded as a major pest incidence and intensity of insect pest attack of bamboos especially on . in Assam State. In India, 180 insectAvailable species are online at www.ijlser.com,During severe infestations,© 2014, All Rightit causes Reserved considerable117 Raja Rishi et al., IJLSER, Vol 2 (4) : 113 – 120, 2014

B A C

D E F

G H I

J K L

Fig.- 1 Major pests of important bamboo species Antonina Ceratovacuna silvestrii Myzus obtusirostris Palmicultor lumpurensis Crocidophora Discophora sondaica(A) sp. (B) Woolly Discophoraaphid sondaica Hexacentrus(C) Aphid unicolor (D)ParasaMealy bug Parasa (E) Larvae of Psara licarsisalissp. (F) Larvae of (G) Adult moth of (H) (I) Larvae of Pyrausta coclesalis. sp. (J) Adult moth of sp. (K) Larvae of (L) Bamboo leaf rolled by Available online at www.ijlser.com, © 2014, All Right Reserved 118 Raja Rishi et al., IJLSER, Vol 2 (4) : 113 – 120, 2014

References

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