Distribution and damage caused by scale insects and mealy bugs associated with black pepper (Piper nigrum Linnaeus) in India Koya K.M. Abdulla1, Devasahayam S.*, Selvakumaran S., Kallil Mini Indian Institute of Spices Research, Post Box No. 1701, Marikunnu P.O., Calicut - 673012, Kerala, (India). *Corresponding author.
1Present address: Red Palm Weevil Project, Agriculture Improvement Scheme, Saihat-31972, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Abstract Surveys conducted in 162 locations in major black pepper (Piper nigrum Linnaeus) areas in Kerala, Karanataka and Tamil Nadu in India indicated that 18 genera/species of scale insects and mealy bugs infested the crop. Among these, Lepidosaphes piperis Green and Aspidiotus destructor Signoret (Diaspididae) were the most common. Fourteen genera/species, namely, Icerya sp., I. aegyptiaca (Douglas) (Margarodidae), Planococcus sp., P. minor (Maskell), Pseudococcus sp., P. longlspinus (Targioni), P. ?orchidicola Takahashi (Pseudococcidae), Protopulvinaria longivalvata Green (Coccidae), Parlatoriapergandii Comstock, Pinnaspis strachani (Cooley), Pseudaulacaspls sp., P. cockerelli (Cooley), ?Unnaspis sp. (Dlaspldidae), and Anomalococcus indicus Ayyar (Lecanodlaspididae) were recorded on the crop for the first time. The incidence of L. piperis and A. destructor was highest in Idukkl District, Kerala (27 per cent) (900 – 1100m MSL) and Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu (24 per cent) (1050 – 1100m MSL), respectively. A highly significant and positive correlation was observed between incidence of L. piperis (r = 0.822 **) and A. destructor (r = 0.945 **) and altitude. The mean percentages ofvines infested by L. piperis and A. destructor were 2.2 and 23.8, and 0.0 and 21.7, at 0–300 and 901–1200m MSL, respectively. The correlation between age of the vine, and incidence of L. piperis and A. destructor was not significant. The Incidence of L. piperis and A. destructor was highest in the cultivar Neelamundi (29.0 per cent) and Balankotta (28.4 per cent), respectively. The incidence of these two species was lowest in the cultivar Malligesera (2.3 and 7.3 per cent, respectively). However, it was not significantly different in various cultivars. Infestation by L. piperis resulted in chlorotic spots/patches, yellowing and drying of leaves and drying of lateral branches. Younger vines succumbed to the pest Infestation during the course of 1–2 years. Infestation by A. destructor resulted in chlorotic spots/patches on leaves. The incidence of other species of scale insects was isolated in various locations and they generally caused localised chlorotic spots/patches on leaves. The incidence of various species of mealy bugs was also isolated and generally no visible symptom of damage was observed in the field. Top |