ISHS Acta Horticulturae 820: VIII International Mango Symposium
BIO-ECOLOGY OF MANGO FRUIT BORER, AUTOCHARIS (=NOORDA) ALBIZONALIS HAMPSON (PYRALIDAE; LEPIDOPTERA) - A RECENT THREAT TO MANGO GROWERS IN WEST BENGAL, INDIA |
| Authors: | S.K. Sahoo, S. Jha |
| Abstract:
The fruit borer, Autocharis (=Noorda) albizonalis Hampson a predominating pest of mango has recently appeared in serious proportion in the major mango growing areas of the West Bengal, India, particularly in the districts of Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia and Hooghly causing 10-52% damage of fruits from pin head stage to full maturity and it is likely to spread in the new areas. The present study has been taken up during 2003-04 regarding the incidence pattern, bionomics and varietal preference of the pest. The insect passed through five larval instars in 11-13 days. The incubation, pre-pupal and pupal period lasted for 2-3 days, 4.5-6 days and 9-11 days, respectively. Two to three overlapping generations were found only during the fruiting season and they passed the off-season as pre-pupae inside the cracks and crevices of the tree. Pupation was observed inside the dry branches and crevices of the bark of the mango plant. In the field one to three mango fruits were found to be damaged by a single larva. On the other side more than one larva could also be recorded in one mango seed. Longevity of the adult was found to be 5-6 days in female and 1-2.5 days in male. The first generation larvae attacked the fruits during second to third week of March and peak infestation was observed during first week of April and then population was found to decline. Next peak infestation was observed during second week of May, which again was followed by a decrease. Length and breadth of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th instar larvae were 4.9 mm & 1.08 mm, 10 mm & 2 mm, 12.3 mm & 2.2 mm, 14.8 mm & 2.7 mm and 19.5 mm & 3.5 mm, respectively. Full grown larvae were with dark brown head, mandible heavily sclerotized and white body ornamented with red intersegmental bands. Wings of the adults were ashy wood in colour mixed with bluish pink metallic shine and middle portion of the fore with two black colour spots. Males could be identified from female by the presence of brush like dark brown hairs ventrally on the mesotibia and tarsus. Length and wing span of the males and females were 14-15 mm & 23 mm and 10-13 mm & 21 mm, respectively. The fruit borer consumed both the flesh and seed of mango but preferred the seed. Damaged fruits became unfit for human consumption. Investigation regarding the preference of mango fruit borer to different cultivars showed that Langra and Fazli were most susceptible. | |
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