Discovery of a sooty mould scavenging beetle, Leiochrinus nilgirianus Kaszab (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) on coconut palms infested by the invasive rugose spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

Abstract

ScavengingactionofLeiochrinusnilgirianus Kaszab (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) on sooty mould deposition on coconut palms due to heavy honeydew production by the invasive rugose spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is reported for the first time from Kerala, India.Adultbeetles,averaging2.07±0.9/leaflet,witha maximum of five beetles per leaflet, and immature stagesweregenerallyconfinedtotheabaxialofthepalm leaves during daytime, but were found feeding onsooty mould during morning hours in damp conditions. The specially aided adaptive leg features of L. nilgirianus with bristle-like hairs on the undersurface of tarsomeres probably aid in proper adhesion on sooty mould laden plant surface and well developed tarsal claws that perhapsassistswiftmovementonfungus-ladenleaflets.On an average one adult beetle could clear 1–2 mm 2 sooty mould laden area in a period of one minute. In situ habitat conservation of L. nilgirianus would help to reduce the sooty mould at no cost in the most natural and eco-friendly manner avoiding chemical management options and other expensive methods.