Record of Some Hemipteran Insect Pests of Mango (Mangifera indica) From Jammu Region of Jammu and Kashmir State.

Mango (Mangifera indica L.), a member of family Anacardiaceae is one of the ancient fruit of Indian origin. India accounts for 54% of world’s total mango production. In J&K state plant is most widespread in district Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Udhampur and Reasi. The major reason for its low productivity is the threat of insect pests, out of which insects belonging to order Hemiptera damaged mostly the plants. Species diversity analyzed through consistent survey and sampling conducted in various districts of Jammu region from March 2013 to Feb. 2014 indicated that the mango plantations are damaged mostly by insects belonging to order Hemiptera. Adults and nymphs both cause damage to the trees by sucking sap from the tender leaves and cause damage on fruits by hard brownish punctures or black spots. These punctures affect the fruit’s edible quality and lower its market value.

Studies on Oecophylla smaragdina as a bio-control agent against pentatomid bug infesting on Pongamia tree.

Weaver ants, (Oecophylla smaragdina) have been found to predate on pentatomid bug (Cyclopelta siccifolia) infesting Pongamia pinnata tree in mid-western Ghat region of Shimoga district, Karnataka. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the potential of weaver ants, that are abundant on P. pinnata trees, to control the pentatomid bugs. Consistent and systematic field surveillance was carried out for a period of two months, March and July 2010. This showed that the number of pentatomid bugs colony found on branches of tree was significantly lower in tree with abundant weaver ants (11.21-16.84%) than in trees with fewer weaver ants (26.51-38.24%), or in trees without ants (61.42-75.47%) similarly, the branches damaged by pentatomid bug (9.42-11.43%) their in trees with abundant weaver ants which was significantly lower than in trees with fewer weaver ants (16.13-23.24%) and without ants (38.42-51.47%) in March and July. The pentatomid bug colony and their damage was significantly low on trees with abundant weaver ants than with fewer ants, or without the ants. Field observations regarding infestation of pentatomid bugs revealed that weaver ants are effective naturally occurring biological agents help in controlling damage caused by pentatomid bugs on Pongamia trees.

Nymph and adult biology of Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) feeding on cultivated and non-cultivated host plants / Biologia de ninfas e de adultos de Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) alimentando-se de plantas cultivadas e não-cultivadas

The biology of the pentatomid Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas) feeding on cultivated and non-cultivated plants was studied in the laboratory. Nymph mortality varied from ≈ 60 on corn (seed mature) to 77 percent on wheat (ear immature); no nymphs survived on seedlings of corn or wheat. Nymph developmental time on soybean, corn or wheat (seed, pod or ear) varied from 25.5 to 32.8 days. Body weight at adult emergence was similar and greater on most foods than on wheat ear. Nymphs fed preferentially on soybean (pod immature). On non-cultivated hosts, nymphs showed high mortality (73 percent) on crotalaria (pod immature); on tropical spiderwort (stem) all nymphs died. Nymphs took longer time to develop on crotalaria and/or on spiderwort than on soybean. Body weight at adult emergence did not differ on crotalaria or soybean. Survivorship decreased with time on most foods, with ≈50 percent of adults alive at day 30. On corn and wheat seedlings ≈80 percent of adults were dead on day 20. Adult longevity ranged 31-43 days, except on corn and wheat seedlings < 15 days. Females percent ovipositing peaked (≈76 percent) on soybean (pod or seed immature), and was minimum (≈9 percent) on wheat ear (immature); no females reproduced on seedlings of corn or wheat. Preoviposition period was shorter (≈12 days) on soybean (immature pod or seed) and longer (≈37 days) on wheat (ear immature). Fecundity was similar and higher on all foods than on wheat (ear immature). Body weigh gain occurred on all foods, but on corn and wheat seedlings. Adults fed preferably on soybean (pod immature and seed mature); wheat (seedling) was the least preferred food.

A biologia do pentatomídeo Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas) em plantas cultivadas e não-cultivadas foi estudada em laboratório. A mortalidade ninfal variou de ≈ 60 por cento em milho (semente madura) a 77 por cento em trigo (espiga imatura); nenhuma ninfa sobreviveu em plântulas de milho ou trigo. O desenvolvimento ninfal em soja, milho ou trigo (semente, vagem ou espiga) variou de 25,5 a 32,8 dias. O peso dos adultos na emergência foi menor em espiga de trigo. As ninfas alimentaram-se preferencialmente de soja (vagem imatura). Nas plantas não-cultivadas, as ninfas tiveram mortalidade de 73 por cento em crotalária (vagem imatura); e 100 por cento em trapoeraba (ramo). O desenvolvimento ninfal foi mais lento em crotalária ou trapoeraba do que em soja. A sobrevivência dos adultos decresceu com o tempo na maioria dos alimentos, com ≈50 por cento dos adultos vivos no 30º dia. Em plântulas de milho e trigo ≈80 por cento dos adultos estavam mortos no 20º dia. A longevidade total dos adultos variou de 31-43 dias, exceto em plântulas de milho e trigo (< 15 dias). A por cento de fêmeas que ovipositou foi maior (≈76 por cento) em soja (vagem ou semente imatura) e menor (≈9 por cento) em espiga imatura de trigo; as fêmeas não reproduziram em plântulas de milho ou trigo. O período de pré-oviposição foi menor (≈12 dias) em soja (vagem ou semente imatura) e maior (≈37 dias) em trigo (espiga imatura). A fecundidade foi semelhante e maior em todos os alimentos do que em trigo (espiga imatura). O ganho de peso ocorreu em todos os alimentos, menos plântulas de milho e trigo. Os adultos alimentaram-se preferencialmente em soja (vagem imatura e semente madura); plântula de trigo foi o alimento menos preferido.

Três padrões novos de coloração de ninfas de Arvelius albopunctatus (De Geer) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) / Three new color patterns of nymphs of Arvelius albopunctatus (De Geer) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Arvelius albopunctatus (De Geer) é amplamente distribuída na região Neotropical, sendo uma importante praga de Solanaceae. Foram descritas variações na coloração das ninfas para essa e outras espécies de pentatomídeos e seu conhecimento é essencial para a identificação precoce. Foram coletadas ninfas e adultos de A. albopunctatus em fragmentos florestais em Criciúma, Içara, Maracajá e Araranguá, SC, de dezembro de 2005 a julho de 2006. Foram observadas as formas de coloração conhecidas das ninfas de 4º e 5º ínstares, bem como três tipos novos, aqui descritos e denominados forma vermelha (4º e 5º ínstares), forma verde (4º e 5º ínstares) e forma laranja (5º ínstar).

Arvelius albopunctatus (De Geer) is widely distributed in the Neotropical region, being an important pest of Solanaceae. Color variation of nymphs was described for this and other pentatomid species and their knowledge is essential for an early identification. From December 2005 to July 2006 nymphs and adults of A. albopunctatus were collected in forest fragments in Criciúma, Içara, Maracajá and Araranguá (SC, Brazil). Known morphs of nymphs of both 4th and 5th instars were observed, as well as three new morphs, here described and named red morph (4th and 5th instars), green morph (4th and 5th instars) and orange morph (5th instar).