Trends in Biosciences 11(11), Print : ISSN 0974-8431, 2137-2142, 2018

Surveying on Prevailing of White Grubs (Coleoptera: ) in the Different Districts of Western Uttar Pradesh, India RIAZUDDIN1, RINNI SAHRAWAT1, MANISH KUMAR SHARMA1, JAGPAL SINGH1 AND MAYANK KUMAR RAI2 1Foundation for Agricultural Resources Management and Environmental Remediation (FARMER) Voluntary Centre, Ghaziabad, All India Network Project on Soil , Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) and Recognized as Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO) by Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 2Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Chhaulas, Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh email : [email protected], [email protected]

ABSTRACT knowledge generated provides insight in to the biology of mixed grub species population in the farms of the study In a survey conducted at 19 locations in the Amroha, region. Often the lack of clarity on the number of species Bulandshahr, Ghaziabad, Hapur and Muzaffarnagar districts of Western Uttar Pradesh, India to study the with varying biology and lifecycle make the farmers to fear intensity and distribution of white grubs during pre- for the crop loss and resort to uncertain management monsoon and monsoon seasons of 2012 to 2017. Light practices. Earlier reports provide an annotated list of scarab Traps and Pheromone Traps were installed in the nights fauna in western Uttar Pradesh (Mittal I.C., 1999). at each different location in the districts of Amroha, The life cycle of white grubs ranges usually from 1 to Bulandshahr, Ghaziabad, Hapur and Muzaffarnagar for 2 years, depending on climatic conditions (Tashiro, 1987). assessing scarab activity. All above mentioned Some species have two generations in a year. The sericine districts are sugarcane and vegetables growing districts , spp., was reported to have two of Western Uttar Pradesh. In the present study, a total generations annually in Israel (Golberg et al., 1989) and number of 9942 White Grub adults were collected and India (Yadav and Sharma, 1995). The average longevity of their taxonomical identification revealed that 27 species adults usually lasts for a month (Tashiro, 1987). The of , Rutelinae, Dynastinae and Scarabaeinae nocturnal adults beetles emerge generally during May– of Scarabaeidae are observed in farmers fields in Western June from the soil by dusk, and settle on the nearby host Uttar Pradesh. The Melolonthinae species were the most trees like Neem (Azadirachta indica), Bakaayan (Melia abundant followed by Rutelinae. The azedarach), Jamun (Syzygium cumini), Guava (Psidium nagpurensis Khan and Ghai (27.46 %) in numbers belongs guajava), Sheesham (Darbergia sissoo), Tun (Toona to Melolonthinae was the predominant species followed by ciliata) Apple (Malus pumila) and plants like wild , (12.70 %) H. serrata (F.) and among the Rutelinae (25.17 Polygonum, etc. for feeding and mating (Yadava, and %) Anomala dimidiata Hope was the dominant species Sharma, 1995). The beetles return to the soil in the morning followed by (4.82 %) A. varicolor Gyllenhal. for oviposition. Incubation period ranges from 4 to 12 days depending on the species. On hatching, larvae in the soil Key words Survey, Distribution, Intensity, Coleoptera: feed on live roots, rootlets and underground stems of plants. Scarabaeidae, Holotrichia nagpurensis, H. The larval period invariably lasts for 3–6 months in annual serrata, Anomala dimidiata, A. varicolor species and still longer in others. This being the longest Dominant Species, Western Uttar Pradesh and most destructive stage, the infestation leads to initial yellowing, stunted growth and subsequent drying and wilting of plants (Joshi et al., 1969). Pupation takes place in White grub (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) a polyphagous the soil and as soon as the adult emerges, these inhabit the pest of national agricultural importance due to high crop soil for considerable time, and swarm in large numbers after loss inflicted has become increasingly serious pest in first showers. Northern parts of India especially in Western Uttar Pradesh, India for the last few years. Their damage is more MATERIALS AND METHODS pronounced in sugarcane crop resulting in huge loses To find out the prevailing species of white grub at sometimes high as 80-100 % (Thamarai Chelvi et al., 2011). different locations of Western UP, the pilot surveys were Uttar Pradesh state alone accounts for 42.98% of the total conducted by collecting adult beetles using light traps and sugarcane area and 41.31 % of the total production in India. pheromone traps in night hours. As most of the species of The almost entire sugarcane growing area in Western UP is white grub are attracted to light and one commonly found affected by serious infestation of white grub at varying species is attracted to the intensity. In majority of the farming situations due to poor pheromone. The light traps and pheromone traps were used control of this pest farmer are largely abandoning sugarcane in the study because beetles were nocturnal in habits. The and other alternate crop cultivation. The root damage to scrub beetles emerge from soil in the night and congregate crops by scarab beetle grubs to roots occasionally on preferred host trees like Neem (Azadirachta indica), necessitates replanting. Bakaayan (Melia azedarach), Jamun (Syzygium cumini), The present study was conducted to ascertain the Guava (Psidium guajava), Sheesham (Darbergia sissoo), location wise prevailing species of white grub to formulate Tun (Toona ciliata) etc. to feed up on the foliage of host species wise strategy for their management of control based trees and for mating. on biology / life cycle of each particular species. The 2138 Trends in Biosciences 11 (11), 2018

Table 1. Location-wise details of white grub beetles collection

Sr. Location (villages) / Trap Used Collected Beetles Total Nos. of Beetles and No. district Species* Light Pheromone Light Pheromone Traps Traps Traps Traps May to July, 2012 1. Farota, Amroha 2 4 408 96 504 102 (4 Species) 2. Chandanpur, Amroha 2 4 140 53 193 33 (3 Species) 3. Milak Rawli, 2 4 315 25 340 63 (9 Species) Ghaziabad 4. Pursi, Ghaziabad 2 4 228 28 256 57 (9 Species) 5. Simbhaoli, Hapur 2 4 156 18 174 39 (4 Species) 6. Datiyona, 2 4 123 15 138 23 (7 Species) Muzaffarnagar May to July, 2013 1. Jallopur, Amroha 2 4 376 84 460 50 (2 Species) May to July, 2014 1. Jallopur, Amroha 2 4 268 00 268 181 (1 Species) 2. Sabitgarh, Bulandshahr 2 4 302 00 302 84 (5 Species) 3. Bhupatpur, 2 4 286 63 349 50 (6 Species) Bulandshahr 4. Milak Rawli, 2 4 47 00 47 6 (2 Species) Ghaziabad 5. Pursi, Ghaziabad 2 4 248 21 269 83 (5 Species) 6. Sadarpur, Ghaziabad 2 4 25 00 25 1 (1 Species) 7. Barkhanda, Hapur 2 4 214 00 214 25 (4 Species) 8. Chapkoli, Hapur 2 4 320 75 395 18 (5 Species) 9. Hassupur, Hapur 2 4 133 00 133 65 (3 Species) May to July, 2015 1. Gyaspur, Ghaziabad 4 4 360 125 485 17 (8 Species) 2. Issapur, Ghaziabad 4 4 2399 00 2399 42 (6 Species) 3. Milak Ravali, 4 4 446 00 446 14 (8 Species) Ghaziabad 4. Pursi, Ghaziabad 4 4 335 150 485 23 (8 Species) 5. Khatauli, 4 4 44 00 44 12 (3 Species) Muzaffarnagar May to July, 2016 1. Sabitgarh, Bulandshahr 4 4 22 00 22 12 (4 Species) 2. Paldi, Muzaffarnagar 4 4 298 00 298 34 (8 Species) May to July, 2017 1. Bhojpur, Ghaziabad 4 4 77 00 77 12 (4 Species) 2. Dabana, Ghaziabad 4 4 1473 00 1473 125 (6 Species) 3. Issapur, Ghaziabad 4 4 146 00 146 28 (2 Species) Total 9189 753 9942 1199

*Species identified in visual preliminary screening conducted in FARMER Laboratory.

The light traps fitted with DC-powered rechargeable, V., et. al, 2010.). During monitoring activities of scarab had a 6 – 8 watts Mercury Light (ACTINIC BL, PHILIPS), beetles, attracted to the light traps were collected funnel trap and collection vessel just beneath the into insect collection vessel through a funnel trap. Trapped light, transparent Acrylic sheet barrier, DC to AC convertor scarab beetles were separated from other insects. were used by placing in farmer’s field. Mercury light trap The pheromone traps fitted with Plastic Sheet barrier shows the maximum ability to insect catch (Ramamurthy, V. sponge piece hang with this barrier with wire and funnel RIAZUDDIN et al., Surveying on Prevailing Species of White Grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in the Different Districts 2139

Table 2. Location-wise details of Taxonomical Identified White Grub Adults Beetles Collection and Percentage

Sl. Subfamily Species Nos. Relative Locations (Districts) No. Abundance (%) 1 Melolonthinae: Holotrichia 817 8.21 Amroha, Bulandshahr, Ghaziabad, Hapur Scarabaeidae consanguinea and Muzaffarnagar Blanchard 2 Holotrichia 2731 27.46 Amroha, Ghaziabad, Hapur and nagpurensis Khan and Muzaffarnagar Ghai 3 Holotrichia serrata 1263 12.70 Amroha, Ghaziabad and Muzaffarnagar (F.) 4 Lepidiota mansueta 42 0.42 Amroha Burmeister 5 Maladera insanabilis 84 0.84 Amroha, Bulandshahr, Hapur and Brenske Muzaffarnagar 6 Schizonycha ruficollis 140 1.40 Bulandshahr, Ghaziabad, Hapur and (F.) Muzaffarnagar 7 Rutelinae: Adoretus duvauceli 17 0.17 Bulandshahr and Ghaziabad Scarabaeidae Blanchard 8 Adoretus versutus 33 0.33 Ghaziabad Harold 9 Anomala bengalensis 424 4.26 Amroha, Bulandshahr, Ghaziabad, Hapur Blanchard and Muzaffarnagar 10 Anomala dimidiata 2503 25.17 Bulandshahr and Ghaziabad Hope 11 Anomala dorsalis F. 349 3.51 Bulandshahr, Ghaziabad, Hapur and Muzaffarnagar 12 Anomala polita 3 0.03 Bulandshahr 13 Anomala ruficapilla 134 1.34 Ghaziabad Burmeister 14 Anomala varicolor 480 4.82 Bulandshahr, Ghaziabad and Gyllenhal Muzaffarnagar 15 Dynastinae: Heteronychus 62 0.62 Ghaziabad Scarabaeidae sublaevis Fairmaire 16 Oryctes rhinoceros L. 27 0.27 Ghaziabad and Hapur 17 Pentodon algerinum 80 0.80 Ghaziabad and Muzaffarnagar 18 Pentodon bengalense 93 0.93 Ghaziabad and Muzaffarnagar Arrow 19 Pentodon monodon F. 75 0.75 Bulandshahr 20 Phyllognathus 33 0.33 Ghaziabad dionysius (F.) 21 Scarabaeinae: Onitis sp. 68 0.68 Ghaziabad, Hapur and Muzaffarnagar 22 Scarabaeidae Onitis philemon 160 1.60 Ghaziabad Fabricius 23 Onthophagus sp. 146 1.46 Bulandshahr, Ghaziabad and Hapur 24 Onthophagus bonasus 135 1.35 Ghaziabad and Muzaffarnagar Fabricius 25 Onthophagus dama 2 0.02 Muzaffarnagar 26 Onthophagus gazella 38 0.38 Bulandshahr, Ghaziabad and Hapur (F.) 27 Onthophagus 3 0.03 Muzaffarnagar ramosellus 2140 Trends in Biosciences 11 (11), 2018

Subfamily wise distribution of White Grub

Fig. 1. Subfamily wise distribution of White Grub species in the five district of Western Uttar Pradesh. trap and insect collection vessel fitted just beneath the clear evolutionary basis exists for why competing females plastic barrier were used by placing in farmer’s field. So far, are attracted to the semiochemical, it was simply referred to in India the pheromone of only one species, i.e. Holotrichia as a “female-released pheromone” (Walter Soares Leal et consanguinea has been isolated from the abdominal glands al, 1996). of female beetles. This pheromone Anisole The light traps and pheromone traps were placed in (Methoxybenzene) has a unique property of acting as the farmers’ fields in the evening time around 7.30 to 7.45 aggregation pheromone and attracting both the sexes up PM. The two and four lights traps were installed at each to a distance of 15 - 20 meters. Anisole (Methoxybenzene) location at a distance of 100 meters each covering an area is an organic compound with the formula CH3OC6H5. It is about 5 acre (20000 sq. mt.). The 4 pheromone traps were a colorless liquid with a smell reminiscent of anise seed, also placed at the same locations at a distance around 40 and in fact many of its derivatives are found in natural and meters each in a manner that the whole area of 5 acre is artificial fragrances. The compound is mainly made covered. The light traps and pheromone traps were placed synthetically and is a precursor to other synthetic separately at different locations at the height of about 10 compounds. It is an ether. Anisole made by M/S Thomas feet from the ground by placing either on the top of the Baker which was used in this research study was purchased walls or hanging on pole or trees. The collection of adult from market. Males and females were captured in anisole- beetles was made for one night at each location during the baited traps in a ratio close to 1:1. Nearly the same sex ratio one season. The study was conducted during pre-monsoon was also observed in beetles captured over the time during and monsoon months (May to July, 2012-2017) at 19 the flight activity of the beetles in the field. Because no locations of Amroha, Bulandshahr, Ghaziabad, Hapur and

Distribution of Major White Grub species

Fig. 2. Distribution of Major White Grub species in the five district of Western Uttar Pradesh. RIAZUDDIN et al., Surveying on Prevailing Species of White Grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in the Different Districts 2141

Muzaffarnagar districts of Western Uttar Pradesh. philemon Fabricius 160 (1.60 %), Onthophagus sp. 146 (1.46 %), Onthophagus bonasus Fabricius 135 (1.35 %), All the adults were cleaned using soap solution and Onthophagus dama 2 (0.02 %), Onthophagus gazella (F.) clean water and in absolute alcohol for 24 hrs, air dried and 38 (0.38 %) and Onthophagus ramosellus 3 (0.03 %) belongs oven dried at 650 C. Thereafter the adult beetles were sorted to Scarabaeinae (Table-2). The major species of the study out in preliminary screening on the basis of color, shape included Holotrichia consanguinea Blanchard , and size. Out of 9942 beetles, 1199 numbers of beetles were Holotrichia nagpurensis Khan and Ghai, Holotrichia sorted out in preliminary screening in FARMER laboratory serrata (F.), Anomala bengalensis Blanchard, Anomala at Ghaziabad on the basis of color, shape and size. These dimidiata Hope and Anomala varicolor Gyllenhal (Figure- representative samples of collected beetles were forwarded 2). to Entomology Division of IARI as submitted samples for identification (Table 1). The specimens were labeled All total 27 species of white grub were collected using appropriately, pinned in collection boxes and these lights traps and pheromone traps installed for one night at representative samples of collected beetles were provided each different locations of each district consecutively (Table to Entomology Division of IARI. 1). This period is considered the peak time for adult beetles activity. This study showed that Holotrachia nagpurensis Location-wise details of white grub beetles collection was found to be the dominant species in Amroha, are given in Table 1. Ghaziabad, Hapur and Muzaffarnagar districts of Western RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Uttar Pradesh. Anomala bengalensis and Holotrichia The total 9942 of beetles (Table - 1) were could be consanguinea were cosmopolite species found in Amroha, collected from 19 locations of Amroha, Bulandshahr, Bulandshahr, Ghaziabad, Hapur and Muzaffarnagar districts Ghaziabad, Hapur and Muzaffarnagar districts of western of Western Uttar Pradesh. It was also observed that Uttar Pradesh. The survey study of Sugarcane and Adoretus versutus, Anomala ruficapilla, Heteronychus Vegetables growing areas of Western Uttar Pradesh during sublaevis, Phyllognathus Dionysius and Onitis philemon the period of pre-monsoon and monsoon months of 2012 Fabricius were found only in Ghaziabad district, Lepidiota to 2017 revealed that 27 species of white grub beetles are mansueta was found only in Amroha district, Anomala prevailing in Western Uttar Pradesh based on taxonomical polita and Pentodon monodon was found in only identification reports received from Entomology Division Bulandshahr district and Onthophagus dama and of IARI (Table-2). Onthophagus ramosellus were found in only Muzaffarnagar of Western Uttar Pradesh. The study shows that the total collection of beetles within the families of Melolonthinae, Rutelinae, Dynastinae CONCLUSION and Scarabaeinae of Scarabaeidae Family. The present study The highest number (2731 Beetles) of Holotrachia revealed that Melolonthinae was the predominant species nagpurensis species was observed at Amroha, Ghaziabad, constituting (51.06 %) followed by Rutelinae (39.66 %), Hapur and Muzaffarnagar districts of Western UP followed Scarabaeinae (5.55 %) and Dynastinae (3.72 %) (Figure-1). by second highest number (2503 Beetles) of Anomala In the present study found 27 species comprising dimidiata species at Bulandshahr and Ghaziabad districts with the Melolonthinae was represented by 6 species, of Western UP. The study revealed that Holotrichia Rutelinae by 8 species, Dynastinae by 6 species and nagpurensis Khan and Ghai and Anomala dimidiata Hope Scarabaeinae by 7 species. The Holotrichia nagpurensis are most abundant species of western Uttar Pradesh. Khan and Ghai 2731 (27.46 %) in numbers belongs to Species diversity was high with respect to Rutelinae while Melolonthinae was the predominant species followed by species abundance was high in case of Melolonthinae. 1263 (12.70) Holotrichia serrata (F.) and among the The data provided clear evidence of the link between Rutelinae 2503 (25.17 %) Anomala dimidiata Hope was the commercial crops as well as host plant loss in Western dominant species followed by 480 (4.82 %) Anomala Uttar Pradesh based on the presence of White grub’s adults. varicolor Gyllenhal. Holotrichia nagpurensis Khan and The present study indicates that major Sugarcane growing Ghai and Anomala dimidiata Hope are most abundant belt and other crops like maize, potato growing areas were species of western Uttar Pradesh. Other species observed highly infested. There is an urgent need to control the white at the study sites were Holotrichia consanguinea grub infestation of commercial crops at larval stage and Blanchard 817 (8.21 %), Lepidiota mansueta Burmeister 42 host plants at adult stage. The study will help in formulation (0.42 %), Maladera insanabilis Brenske 84 (0.84 %) and of strategy for management of white grub in Western Uttar Schizonycha ruficollis (F.) 140 (1.40 %) belongs to Pradesh and undertaking control operations by farmers and Melolonthinae, Adoretus duvauceli Blanchard 17 (0.17 %), sugar mills functionaries. The better management of white Adoretus versutus Harold 33 (0.33 %), Anomala bengalensis grub will boost sugarcane production and increase sugar Blanchard 424 (4.26 %), Anomala dorsalis F. 349 (3.51 %), recovery. Anomala polita 3 (0.03 %) and Anomala ruficapilla Burmeister 134 (1.34 %) belongs to Rutelinae, Heteronychus ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS sublaevis Fairmaire 62 (0.62 %), Oryctes rhinoceros L. 27 The acknowledgement to Department of Science and (0.27 %), Pentodon algerinum 80 (0.80 %), Pentodon Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, bengalense Arrow 93 (0.93 %), Pentodon monodon F. 75 Government of India and Indian Council of Agriculture (0.75 %) and Phyllognathus dionysius (F.) 33 (0.33 %) Research (ICAR), for extending financial support through belongs to Dynastinae and Onitis sp. 68 (0.68 %), Onitis the research projects titled “Demonstration of effective and 2142 Trends in Biosciences 11 (11), 2018 affordable biological agents (Entomopathogenic Nematodes LITERATURE CITED and other Bio-agents) for the Management of White grub Golberg, A. M., Yathom, S., Almogi, L. A. and Fridland, W. 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Received on 17-03-2018 Accepted on 20-03-2018