Report of Dictyla cheriani Drake (Hemiptera: Tingidae) on Indian Cherry (Cordia myxa L.) in Rajasthan, India: incidence and morphometric analysis.

Abstract

The infestation of Dictyla cheriani (Drake) (Hemiptera: Tingidae) on Indian cherry (Cordia myxa L.), was noticed in 2010 at the Experimental Farm of Central Institute for Arid Horticulture and other fields of Bikaner district, Rajasthan, India. The maximum incidence was observed in October (51.67% on bold and 76.67% on small seeded plants) and minimum was in January (11.67% on bold and 21.67% on small seeded plants). The number of this lace bug ranged between (0.5 to 8.8 on bold and 4.5 to 25.97 on small seeded plants) nymphs and adults per leaves. This species is characterised by body oblong, pale testaceous with brownish or fuscous markings, with collar and hood yellowish brown, body beneath reddish dark with thoracic sterna darker. Antenna is yellowish brown; 1/3 part of 4 segment blackish. Antenna is rather slender, segmental measurements: I, 0.12 mm; II, 0.09 mm; III, 0.80 mm; IV, 0.22 mm. The mean body lengths of the male and female adult vary and were recorded as 2.17 mm and 2.34 mm, respectively.