Distribution and abundance of white grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) on groundnut in southern India

Abstract

1Scarab species associated with groundnuts were surveyed in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and 2 Tamil Nadu, southern India, between 1995 and 2001. Scarab adults were collected from trees 3 on which they were feeding and/or mating, and larvae (white grubs) from groundnut fields. 4Holotrichia species, especially H. reynaudi and H. serrata were the major species associated 5 with groundnut. H. reynaudi predominated in the central Deccan area, while H. serrata was 6 most abundant in areas to the south and west. A new, undescribed, Holotrichia species near 7 H. consanguinea was collected south and south-west of Hyderabad in mixed populations with 8 H. reynaudi. However, the full extent of this new species' distribution remains uncertain. H. 9 rufoflava was rarely associated with groundnut, but was common as an adult at some locations. 10Other genera encountered during surveys were Anomala, Adoretus, Schizonycha, Autoserica. 11In survey data, densities of Holotrichia larvae and 'all other white grubs' were both very highly 12 correlated with % of damaged groundnut plants. These correlations in combination with 13 concurrent observations of plant damage establish a causal link between white grubs and plant 14 damage and death in southern Indian groundnut. Ranking of preferred host trees for adults were 15 developed from field observations for four Holotrichia species and Schizonycha spp. and will 16 assist grower-initiated surveys of pest occurrence. In combination with insecticide efficacy data 17 published elsewhere, the survey provides the basis for an environmentally friendly and 18 economically viable pest-management system for white grubs on groundnut in southern India. 19

White grubs, Holotrichia rustica and Holotrichia mucida (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) as pests of teak (Tectona grandis L. f.) seedlings

“…While host plants like Z. jujuba, Z. mauritiana and Z. xylopyra were confirmed as hosts for feeding for H. rustica and H. mucida, other plants like A. leucophloea and A. catechu seem to be hosts for mating (N. Kulkarni, 2002Kulkarni, -2005, unpublished observation), as Anitha et al (2006) have reported in cases of various scarab species in southern India. Kulkarni et al (2007) have recently reported similar observations for co-existing scarabaeid, S. ruficollis.…”

“…Indian chafer beetles are known to become active with the onset of monsoon in a variety of cropping and forestry systems (Thakur, 1988(Thakur, , 1993Meshram et al, 1990;Yadava & Sharma, 1995;Anitha et al, 2006). Garg et al (2005) and Kulkarni et al (2007) have recently provided substantial data on species affecting forest nurseries.…”

“…The pre-onset increase in atmospheric moisture is a recognised feature of the monsoon's arrival in India (Raju et al, 2005) and so may provide a useful trigger for forecasting and preparations for beetle management in the nursery by nursery managers. As this pre-onset humidity increase is a general feature of the monsoon's arrival (Raju et al, 2005), it may also provide the same trigger for management action wherever adult control of Holotrichia species is being attempted, for example, groundnut in India (Yadava & Sharma, 1995;Anitha et al, 2006).…”

Incidence and management of white grub, Schizonycha ruficollis on seedlings of teak (Tectona grandis Linn. f.)

“…While the adult (beetle) of S. ruficollis causes minor damage by defoliating leaves of horticultural and forest species, the subterranean larval stage (white grub) inflicts severe damage to root systems. S. ruficollis beetle defoliates leaves of tamarind and rose (Roonwal, 1954) and feeds on grapevine (Batra et al, 1973), Prosopis cineraria (Parihar &Singh, 1998) Acacia, ber, tamarind andneem (Musthak Ali, 2001;Anitha et al, 2006). Its grubs damage roots of prunus, sugarcane, millets, grapes and groundnut (Kumar, 1971;Musthak Ali, 2001;Kapadia et al, 2006).…”

Metarhizium majus and Metarhizium robertsii show enhanced activity against the coleopteran pests Holotricha serrata and Oryctes rhinoceros

“…discovered 100 years ago by Mednicho has a rather e entomopathogenic fungus, M. anisopliae, it causes serious damage to in sugarcane root system and damage is caused by the larvae (Anitha et al, 2006). Apart from sugarcane they are also serious pests of groundnut and potato.…”