Invasion of the Rugose spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Pollachi tract of Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Following the outbreak for the first time in 2016 of a new invasive rugose spiraling whitefly (RSW), Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin in Pollachi, Coimbatore district, Western agro climatic zone of Tamil Nadu, India, a 3-grade damage rating scale was developed to categorize the extent of RSW infestation on different host plants when five host plants were recorded as new viz., Areca catechu L., Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Manihot esculenta Crantz., Myristica fragrans (Houtt.) and Parthenium hysterophorus L. Of the diverse array of natural enemy fauna, the aphelinid parasitoid, Encarsia guadeloupae Viggiani was observed to play a major role in bringing down RSW population. Prolonged dry spell during June to September 2016, after deficit rainfall (69 %) coupled with decreased relative humidity seem to favour the spread of the pest in coconut plantations of Pollachi tract of Tamil Nadu, India.