Distribution of major sucking pest, Helopeltis spp. (Hemiptera: Miridae) of cashew in India.

Abstract

Surveys were conducted between 2010 and 2013 in west coast and east coast belts of India for major sucking pests, Helopeltis spp. in cashew. It reveals that three species viz., H. antonii Signoret, H. bradyi Waterhouse and H. theivora Waterhouse spread over different host plants. H. antonii was noticed as the predominant species and collected from 14 locations on five different host plants whereas; H. bradyi was collected from five locations on two host plants. The study also highlighted first record of H. antonii from Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and Odhisa cashew region. Similarly, H. bradyi was reported for the first time in high altitude Tura region, Meghalaya. H. theivora was predominant species on cashew in North East region. Incidence of Helopeltis spp. was very severe in most of the cashew growing tracts of Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra in the west coast region. Pachypeltis maesarum Kirkaldy was observed as a minor pest along with H. antonii on cashew and with H. theivora on Solanum torvum Sw.