RECORD OF WEED FLORA OF CASHEW PLANTATIONS AS HOSTS OF TEA MOSQUITO BUG

Abstract

In cashew plantations, during 2012 and 2013, fourteen weed species belonging to eleven different families were recorded as hosts for a serious pest of cashew viz., tea mosquito bug (TMB) between July and February. Different species of TMB were recorded on weed species like Terminalia paniculata, Getonia floribunda, Macaranga peltata, Chromolaena odorata, Melastoma malabathricum, Meremmia vitifolia, Solanum torvum, Cissus repanda, Strychnos nuxvomica, Ixora sp., Lantana camera, Leea sp. and two ornamental plants viz., Acalypha hispida and Acalypha wilkesiana. Among them, euphorbiaceae plants were dominant represented by three species followed by combretaceae with two species. Highest TMB infestation was noticed during October on weeds like C. odorata (29 % of weed population), M. peltata (6 %) and G. floribunda (12 %). The dominant species of TMB, H. antonii was recorded on two weed hosts, while, H. bradyi, H. theivora and P. maesarum were recorded on one, nine and seven different weed species respectively. On weeds like C. odorata, M. malabathricum, S. torvum, M. peltata and A. hispida, occurrence of both H. theivora and P. maesarum was noticed. The species of TMB occurred on particular weed plant, extent of damage and period of occurrence are presented.