Major storage insect pests of Arecanut Areca catechu L. - A Survey

Abstract

Present study was carried to access the major storage insect pests complex of arecanut, a survey was carried out in 30 different arecanut godowns at coastal region of Karnataka during May, 2017. Among the major storage insect pests recorded, flat grain beetle Cryptolestes pusillus (Schönherr) was most serious with 58.33 per cent infestation followed by cigarette beetle Lasioderma serricorne (Fabricius) with 21.74 per cent infestation, palm seed borer Coccotrypes carpophagus (Hornung) with 13.58 per cent infestation, coffee bean weevil Araecerus fasciculatus with 5.34 per cent infestation (DeGeer) and red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum with 0.9 per cent infestation (Herbst). Grade wise (fresh nuts = less than one year old stored nuts; single chole = more than one year old stored nuts; double chole = more than two year old stored nuts; and patora = cracked nuts of one year old storage) per cent damage of insect pests were also recorded during this study. Highest per cent damage recorded in patora (45 per cent) followed by fresh nuts (35.22 per cent), double chole (25.55 per cent) and single chole (14 per cent). Predatory anthocorid bug Xylocoris flavipes feeding on different stages of flat grain beetle Cryptolestes pusillus was recorded during study.