Get 20M+ Full-Text Papers For Less Than $1.50/day. Start a 14-Day Trial for You or Your Team.

Learn More →

Prevalence and seasonality of insect pests in medicinally important plant Senna alata L. under tropical climate in the Coromandel Coast of India

Prevalence and seasonality of insect pests in medicinally important plant Senna alata L. under... GeoloGy, ecoloGy, and landscapes, 2018 Vol . 2, no . 3, 177–187 https://doi.org/10.1080/24749508.2018.1452476 INWASCON OPEN ACCESS Prevalence and seasonality of insect pests in medicinally important plant Senna alata L. under tropical climate in the Coromandel Coast of India a a b Savitha Veeraragavan , Ramamoorthy Duraisamy and Sudhakaran Mani a b d epartment of ecology & environmental s ciences, pondicherry University, puducherry, India; d epartment of environmental s ciences, Tamil nadu a gricultural University, c oimbatore, India ABSTRACT ARTICLE HISTORY Received 27 s eptember 2017 An attempt is made to examine prevalence of insect pests and their seasonality in Senna alata a ccepted 15 d ecember 2017 L. from Puducherry region, India covering a period of one year. Totally, five insects found to make use of S. alata for ovideposition viz. butterfly (Catopsilia pyranthe), Jewel bug (potamid KEYWORDS Chrysocoris stollii), flower bud worm (Hendecasis duplifascialis) Aphides (Aphis sp.), and Mealy Senna alata; seasonality; bugs. All egg masses collected from leaves and flower buds are reared and developmental ovideposition; Catopsilia stages are documented. Secondly, two virulent borers viz. flower bud borer H. duplifascialis and pyranthe; Chrysocoris stollii; pod borer Etiella zinckenella and their developmental stages are also documented for the first bud borers; worm inside anther time in S. alata; thirdly, the extent of caterpillars that destroy medicinally important leaves of S. alata mostly young leaves, has also been documented. Adult insects viz. aphides (Aphis sp.) and green stink bug Acrosternum hilare, are also found feeding on leaves of S. alata. The last but unique observation made during field study is sighting of a worm inside anther for the first time. The seasonal study revealed that ovideposition is influenced by temperature and rainfall and showed higher level of ovideposition during late post-monsoon and early summer. The overall picture on association of insect pest with S. alata indicated a low level of insect pest faunal diversity. Present report would be considered as the important input into the annals of medicinally important member of the genus Senna. Introduction of Cassia have been reported by Atluri, Ramana, and Reddi (2004). Studies in bud borer Hendecasis duplifas- Senna alata L. belonging to family Fabaceae, is an inva- cialis Hampson is taken up by David (1958), Amutha sive species in India from South America. S. alata is (1994); Suganthi, Chandrasekaran, and Regupathy reported to possess many medicinally important phy- (2006) and Meenatchi, Giraddi, Patil, Vastrad, and toconstituents which form as principal ingredient in Biradar (2011). Recently, Kamala, Chinniah, Kennedy, a variety of antifungal balm and cream formulations Kalyanasundaram, and Suganthy (2017) have made a (Abubacker, Ramanathan, & Kumar, 2008) and hence survey in major jasmine growing districts of Tamil it has got export value also (ZAUBA, 2015). Moreover, Nadu and assessed distribution, infestation level potted plants are raised in nurseries as ornamental and the relative importance of jasmine budworm, plant and sold (https://nurserylive.com/buy-avenue- Hendecasis duplifascialis. Regarding pod borer, Etiella trees-plants-online-in-india/cassia-alata-plants-in-in- zinckenella, Sarma, Senthilkumar, and Das (2008) have dia.) and seeds are also collected, screened for quality made extensive survey on the pest in selected medici- and traded (https://www.amazon.com/Candle-Senna- nal plants and reported E. zinckenella, oviposition egg Alata-Cassia-Shrub/dp/B00WJCTK0I). In this con- Permana, Johari, Putra, Sastrodihardjo, and Ahmad text, insect pests are the major negative biological (2012) have reported a variety of insect pests including factor in view of health and yield of crops and it is pod-feeding Lepidoptera larvae of E. zinckenella. The more concerned in the case of medicinally important larvae of polyphagous pest, gram pod borer, E. zinck- plants like S. alata. Leaves of plants and flowers are enella, found to cause damage to W. somnifera leaves preferred by few insects for ovideposition and vari- and flower buds (Sharma, Kumar, Mehta, & Singh, ous attributes have been put forward to explain host 2014). Mealy bugs are also recorded in different medic - selection behaviour in female insects (Brody, 1992; inal plant including species of genus Cassia other than Brody & Waser, 1995; Jiménez-Pérez & Wang, 2003; S. alata (Mahalingam et al., 2010; Muniappan et al., Pettersson, 1992; Zimmerman, 1980). Ovideposition 2008; Selvaraju & Sakthivel, 2012; Tanwar, Jeyakumar, & Vennila, 2010). by emigrant butterfly Catopsilia pyranthe in species CONTACT Ramamoorthy d uraisamy d.ramamoorthy01@gmail.com © 2018 The a uthor(s). published by Informa UK limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an open a ccess article distributed under the terms of the creative c ommons a ttribution license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 178 S. VEERARAGAVAN ET AL. Figure 1a. S. alata l syn. Cassia alata. Present scenario on the use of members of genus Sample collection Senna is reported to be most important in terms of their The field study on insect pests in S. alata is made more medicinal and export potential. However, being impor- effective using a hand lens (10  cm dia) and butter- tant medicinal plant scientific information on prevalence fly/insect nets. It is learnt from trial field survey that of insect pest in S. alata L. and its seasonality is not avail- pest could be categorized into two viz. swiftly flying able from tropical regions. Hence, present study has been insects and slow moving. Therefore, an indigenous undertaken to prevalence and seasonality of insect pests technique has been adopted to maximize pest collec- in medicinally important plant S. alata L. profusely grow- tion. A single plant S. alata is totally covered by a large ing under tropical climate in the Pondicherry region. transparent plastic bag down to the base of the plant to trap the entire flying and slow moving pest as fast Material and methodology as possible. The mouth of bag is tied at the base of the plants and its plant cut at the base off and whole plant Study area with trapped insects and worms seen inside the bag. S. alata L. it is an erect herb, 2–3 m tall with compound A small amount of cotton chocked in 5% formalin is leaves. Terminal inflorescence is a spike with a beautiful dropped into the bag. After 15 min, plant is shaken cluster of golden yellow flower resembles yellow candle - well and all the insects and worms are collected and sticks. The study region comes under tropical climatic brought to the laboratory for further identification experiencing two rainy seasons; one north-east mon- studies. soon shower (October–December) which is the prin- Secondly, the egg masses noticed on the leaves and cipal period of precipitation received by Pondicherry flower buds are collected gently along with leaves and region on the south-east coast of India and another buds and brought to the laboratory and reared to find short spell during south-west monsoon (April–June). out ovidepositor. Besides, worms from flower buds e r Th egion receives an annual rainfall of about 2400 mm and infected pods are also collected, photographed of rainfall. The maximum and minimum temperatures and reared in the laboratory to find out the adult. are 34.4 °C and 25.2 °C during summer and monsoon, Images of adult insects, leaves with ovideposition and respectively. The relative humidity of the study region developmental stages of larvae are done using digital ranged from 86% and a minimum of 64%. Totally, six microscope, USB, under 500× (Duratool-gaosuo). Data sites where S. alata is profusely growing in and around collected on number of egg masses on leaves and on Pondicherry region, are selected for the study (Figure flower buds of S. alata and insect pest prevalent in the 1(a) and 1(b)). As insect pests are mostly influenced by S. alata during 12  months period covering four sea- local environmental factors like temperature and rain- sons viz. post-monsoon, summer, pre-monsoon, and fall, presently, data relating to study region have been monsoon are presented as graphs. Adult insect pests obtained from Department of statistics and commerce, are identified with Entomology Dept of Agriculture, Government of Pondicherry for the study period. The Govt of Pondicherry, Horticulture department of the investigation is done for one complete year during 2015 Pondicherry University and Tamil Nadu Agriculture covering four seasons. University, Tamil Nadu. GEOLOGY, ECOLOGY, AND LANDSCAPES 179 Figure 1b. s tudy site. s ource: a uthor. white eggs of Jewel bug collected along with the leaf are Results reared in the lab and after 10 days nymph of jewel bug Seasonal field survey on insect pests associated with is formed. Nymphs looked like dark red dots (equal to S. alata has brought out very interesting and unique the pin head-1–2  mm). The nymph feed on debris of findings. The outcome of seasonal field study is dealt leaves which were previously bearing eggs. After one as six categories. (1) leaves used as a site for ovidep- week, the nymph transformed into an adult bug and osition: five types of eggs masses, four laid on leaves it is identified as  C. stolli,  a  potamid  bug. From third and other one on flower bud viz. buttery fl C. pyranthe, type of egg collected, after 14 days, there emerged lar - Jewel bug, Chrysocoris stollii, mealy bugs, and aphids and vae of Hendecasis duplifascialis and at the end of 23rd Hendecasis duplifascialis, respectively; Among five types, day, the adult insect emerged. Fourth and fifth types three without any cover- or cocoon-like structure and are not successful. However, based on morphological two with a spongy cover made of white fibrous material; features of eggs and previous reports, it is reasonably (2) One borer found inside bud and matured flowers presumed that it might be the eggs of aphides and (Hendecasis duplifascialis); (3) Borers found inside pod another presumed as Mealy bugs. Adult aphides and (Etiella zinckenella); (4) Caterpillars of a buttery a fl nd mealy bugs are also noticed in the host plant feeding borer; (5) A tiny worm inside anther; (6) Adult insects on the leaves and soft stems. Two borer worms are feeding on leaves of S. alata (other than ovidepositors) recorded in the present study one on flower buds and viz. another one young pods. The well-grown worm is found All egg masses and larvae collected from infected to bore into flower buds and eats up all the floral parts flower bud and pods are reared under normal labora- leaving plenty of excreta (Figure 4(a)–(e)). On rearing tory conditions to a maximum of 30 days. By 21st day, the worm for 7 days, an adult insect came out and it is the adult emerged as Buttery fl ,  C. pyranthe. The sec- identified as  H. duplifascialis, emerged out aer ft passing ond creamy white developed into Jewel bug  C. stolli thro pupation. Regarding pod borer, the small holes are and third one collected from surface of the flower seen in young pods and on rearing for 30 days i.e., aer ft bud emerged as Hendecasis duplifascialis Hampson passing through two types of larval stages (Figure 5(a)– (Pyrauptidae: Lepidoptera). All developmental stages (f )) the adult insect, E. zinckenella, emerged out. The are photographed and presented (Figures 2(a)–(f ) and third category pest is the Caterpillars feeding mostly 3(a)–(h)). The striking observation made with regard on young leaves. Caterpillars of the mottled emigrant to pupa of a buttery fl , is the surface appearance of the buttery  fl are  prevalent during post-monsoon to late pupa. The pupa actually mimics the surface of a leaf summer in S. alata. Caterpillars inflict damage by eating having venation-like ornamentation with green col- foliage and stems voraciously and defoliate a plant in a our and mid rib (Figure 2(d)) and the length of pupa short period of time (Figure 6(a)–(e)). These caterpillars ranged from 2.5 to 3.0 cm. After the emergent of adult also reared and emerged adult is identified as a migrant from the pupa, the greenish pupa turned into creamy white and dried off (Figure 2 (e)). Similarly, pure creamy buttery fl , Catopsilia pyranthe. 180 S. VEERARAGAVAN ET AL. Figure 2. life stages of eggs of butterfly collected from leaves of S. alata reared in laboratory. (a) e ggs on the leaves, (b) larva feeding on leaves, (c) pupa, (d) close-up view of pupa, (e) white pupa after emergent of adult, (f ) adult mottled emigrant butterfly. Figure 3. life stages of eggs of Jewel bug (C. stolli) collected from the leaves of S. alata reared in laboratory. (a) adult bugs in the polythene bag, (b) eggs collected from wild, (c) embryo development inside eggs, (d) size of egg (pin head for comparison), (e) fully developed embryo, (f ) nymph just come out from embryo sac, (g) nymph of jewel bug, (h) adult bug C. stolli. One of the striking observations made in the present prevalence in S. alata are influenced by factors viz. tem- study is sighting of a worm inside anther. Anthers meas- perature and rainfall and high prevalence of ovidepo- ured about 10 mm in length. Since it is interesting and sition during late post-monsoon and summer and the strange to see a worm coming out of an anther, it is then bores during late summer and pre-monsoon periods. video graphed in addition to photographs (Figure 7(c)). When anther with worm is split open longitudinally to Discussion isolate worm for rearing, we could see full of excreta A field-based study on insect pests association with inside rather than pollen grains. Moreover, as the length S. alata has brought out many interesting and unique is of about 10  mm and worm inside is (6–7  mm) less observations. The mottled emigrant buttery fl C. pyran- than anther length, (Figure 7(b)–(d)), it is very fragile the a member of the family Pieridae, (Lepidoptera: to collect the worm alive. The overall understanding on Rhopalocera) is a tropical species, selects S. alata as seasonality of pest infestation in S. alata in relation to host plant for ovidepostion. It has been reported that climatic factors indicates ovideposition and insect pest GEOLOGY, ECOLOGY, AND LANDSCAPES 181 Figure 4. Flower bud boring by flower bud borer: (a) flower bud borer collected from infected bud; (b) bore made by worm; (c) worm enters into flower bud; (d) worm smashing internal floral parts; (e) end of flower bud. Figure 5. d evastation of pods of S. alata by pod borer: (a–b) pod borer, (c) worm coming out of the pod, (d–e) reared cocoon, (F) adult. two species of Catopsilia viz., C. crocale and C. pyran- in different species of genus Cassia. C. pyranthe is seen the, feeding freely upon Cassia species (Atluri et al., laying eggs on the leaves of Cassia javanica, C. alata, 2004). During its larval stage, it feeds on leaves vora- C. auriculata, C. fistula, Albizia lebbck (Arju, Bashar, & ciously and destroys the foliar health and productivity Moula, 2010). Atluri et al. (2004) has listed oviposition (Figure 6(b)–(d)). Most adult Lepidoptera moth and host plants as Cassia siamea, C. fistula, C. occidentalis, buttery f fl eed on nectar, whereas caterpillars consume C. auriculata, C. tora, S. alata, C. siamea (Sharma et al., mainly structural tissue such as leaves, stems, flowers, 2014). Thus, among various plants preferred by the but- and fruits (Liu, Scheirs, & Heckel, 2010). In the present tery fl , present study confirms that S. alata is preferred study, it is found that buttery fl C. pyranthe make use of not only for ovideposition but also food for their larvae. the plant S. alata for oviposition and to complete its life e s Th econd type of eggs collected and reared in the cycle and leaves serve as food for the caterpillars. This laboratory is the eggs of Jewel bug. Adult jewel bug C. caterpillar nuisance is quite obvious in S. alata during stolli. (Heteroptera–Pentatomidae–Scutellerinae). It late post-monsoon and summer. Present findings are is polyphagus bug with beautiful coloration (metallic in conformity with previous reports of various workers and green blue with black spots), reported to cause 182 S. VEERARAGAVAN ET AL. Figure 6. d evastation of leaves of S. alata by caterpillars: (a–c) perforated leaves by caterpillar; (d–e) caterpillars feeding on both from dorsal and ventral sides. Figure 7. Worm inside anther: (a) flower of S. alata (arrows indicate fertile stamens); (b) individual anther measuring 1 cm; (c) arrow indicates head of worm inside anther; (d) worm taken out from anther; (e) close-up view of distal end of anther showing two tiny openings; (f ) single arrow indicates internal content of healthy anther; double arrows indicate internal nature of anther after worm attack; (g) destroyed terminal ends of anther after worm exit of thro distal end. considerable loss to many plants of economic value detailed study on ovideposition behaviour of C. stolli. and presently in S. alata also. Present observation on Kumar and Dhiman (2013) have reported that selection occurrence of jewel bug is in conformity with reports of host for oviposition by Jewel bug, C. stolli in Cassia of Dhiman and Kumar (2005, 2006) who have done a occidentalis and Croton sparcior fl us feeding on the leaves GEOLOGY, ECOLOGY, AND LANDSCAPES 183 Figure 8. eggs collected from leaves and flower bud of S. alata. (a) Catopsilia pyranthe (Butterfly), (b) Chrysochoris stollii (Jewel bug), (c) Hendecasiss duplifascialiss(bud borer), (d) mealy bug, (e) unidentified egg. Figure 9. (a) and (b) aphides feeding on Senna alata. during winter and sheltering in the plant during the away; moreover, adult aphides are noticed feeding on summer season. In the present study, similar seasonality floral parts and presented (Figure 9(a) and (b)). Aphids has been observed. are a small so b ft odied sap-sucking insects with the long Rearing of fourth type of egg with bright orange slender mouth parts for piercing leaf and soft stem and colour (Figure 8(e)) is not successful. However, it has considered as one among the most destructive insect been tried to identify the insect based on morphological pests on cultivated plants. From an ecological point features of eggs and mode of deposition in comparison of view, they are a highly successful due to their asex- with reports of Tanwar et al.(2010); Mahalingam et al. ual reproductive capabilities. Thus, it is clear from field (2010) and Selvaraju and Sakthivel (2012) on mealy bugs survey followed by the laboratory studies that S. alata egg types, it is reasonably presumed that the ovidepos- is preferred by insects for ovideposition. Host selection itor might be the mealy bugs. Muniappan et al. (2008) for oviposition is complex process involving factors such have reported mealy bugs in varieties of cultivated agri- as shape, colour, texture, size, and chemical composi- cultural and horticultural flower crops, vegetables, and tion of the host plant (Courtney, 1990). As reported by fruits. As fifth type of egg masses covered with cotton Zalucki, Daglish, Firempong, and Twine (1986) and b fi re-like structure has not shown any positive result on (Fitt, 1989)  ability of ovipositioning to locate and uti- rearing, an attempt is made to locate same type of eggs lize a wide range of hosts, is one of the major factors in the S. alata in the field. Interestingly, when the fibres contributing to the pest status of the plants. In the case from the same type of egg masses found on leaves, are of S. alata, factor influences host selection might be removed gently, tiny insects similar to young aphids fly chemical response (chemo-receptors/sensores) working 184 S. VEERARAGAVAN ET AL. Figure 10. anthracnose in bud (a and b) and pod (c and d). between host and insect, that influences host selection e s Th trange but ecologically significant observation for ovideposition in addition to leaf morphology and is sighting of worm inside the anthers. The worm is availability of better host. Availability of suitable host found inside anther and trying to come out by break- plants for ovideposition could also be a factor because ing the anther (Figure 7(g)–(i)). As anther is 10 mm in S. alata being an invasive, maintains monospecific pop- length and the soft-bodied worm inside anther is less ulation in the study site and no other native plant is than 10 mm (Figure 7(b) and (d)) practically it is very available. Therefore, while analyzing factors influencing difficult to take out the worms alive. This observation host selection, availability both in type and quantity of eventually raises the question that under which circum- the plant, could not be ignored. Last but not the least, it stance s the worm is happened to be inside the anther. could be attributed that leaves of S. alata are not grazed To address this, we could reasonably presume based by larger herbivores-like cattles. on reports already available in this subject matter and  In addition to ovideposition in S. alata, two worms observation made in the field that the unknown insect viz. flower bud and pod borer worm are found to feed on might have laid eggs on the micro pile seen at the distal young buds and seeds (pod) of S. alata. It is noticed in end of the anther (Figure 7(e)). The larvae that come the field that the well-grown worm is found to bore into out from the eggs start eating the pollen inside. Once the flower buds (Figure 4(d)) and eats up all the floral they grow bigger, they try to come out by breaking the parts viz. corolla, style, and stigma – leaving much dark wall of anther in all possible direction (Figure 7(g)–(i)). brown excreta. Similarly in the pods, the seeds are eaten While they are inside, their excreta gets accumulated and by the worm and remaining seeds are succumb to fungal spoil anther (Figure 7(f )). On coming out of the anther, attack. Secondary infection in pods and buds are found these well-grown worms, start feeding on flower buds. to the by pathogenic fungal species viz. Aspergillus niger Now, it is assumed that this is the stage at which we have and A. flavus (Figure 10(a) and (b)). Similar problem due collected and recorded the worm while boring the bud to bud borer H. duplifascialis has been reported earlier Hendecasis dulplifascialis (Figure 4). In view of above by (Amutha, 1994; Meenatchi et al., 2011; Suganthi et al., observations made, it is presumed that the adult which 2006) in flowers of various economically important flow - deposited the eggs might be Hendecasis duplifascialis; ers. S. alata is an important plant in terms of the source however, further intensive study on this specific aspect of medicine aesthetic values, the present finding would would definitely bring out the complete life history of the help to manage such problems where S. alata is raised inside anthers of S. alata. The output would open up new in nurseries for commercial purpose. concept/scientific thought in the field of ovideposition It is learnt from rearing of worm collected from pod and host selection process. Besides, worms, adult insects that pods of S. alata are infected by a common polypha- viz. Aphides (Aphis sp.) and green stink bug Acrosternum gous pest E. zinckenella (Figure 10(c) and (d)). es Th e hilare are the two adult insects feeding on leaves and borers enter into the pod and start eating seeds. These flowers of S. alata, making tiny holes on the leaves and pod borers are not only recorded in Withania somnifera thereby reducing the photosynthetic surface are of the farmer’s field at Bilaspur (Sharma et al., 2014) but also leaves. in more crops in the entire South Asian region (Biswas, To ascertain the influence of major climatic factors viz. 2014; Fitt, 1989; Yang, Johnson, & Zalucki, 2008) have atmospheric temperature and rainfall relating to study recorded pod borer E. zinckenella in pigeon pea dam- region on the prevalence, abundance, and seasonality, aging both flower and pod. Thus, reports on attack of Figures 5 and 11 clearly illustrate that ovideposition is flower bud borer and pod borer in S. alata are the first activated during post-monsoon till summer and the report and considered as important contribution in worms prevalence and abundance are noticed during management of nurseries where S. alata is grown for late summer and early pre-monsoon period. In conclu- ornamental–commercial purpose and inflict in leaves sion, it is stated that as far as S. alata is concerned, infes- which are one of the export-oriented herbal bases in tation in terms of use of leaves for ovideposition, bud India. and pod destruction by worms and adult leaf feeding GEOLOGY, ECOLOGY, AND LANDSCAPES 185 Figure 11. Influence of rainfall on ovideposition in number of leaves, flower bud and bud borer, pod borer in Senna alata. Figure 12. Influence of temperature on ovideposition in number of leaves, flower bud and bud borer, pod borer in S. alata. Figure 13. Influence of rainfall on ovideposition in number of leaves, flower bud and bud borer, pod borer in S. alata. insects, seemed to be less serious. Such a low level of metabolites and morphology of the plant, significantly infestation may be due to the intrinsic characteristics of influence negatively on feeding behaviour and develop- an invasive species possessed by S. alata and/or the type ment of native herbivores in invasive plant population. of phytochemical constituents present in host plant parts. Moreover, reports of (Bezemer, Harvey, & Cronin, 2014) It is seemed to a potential anti-herbivory not only to have indicated that invasive plants may contain novel invertebrates-like insects but also larger vertebrates-like secondary compounds that are toxic to native herbivores cattles. es Th e attributes are seem to be relevant from and their natural enemies, or may produce odours that the reports of (Awmack & Leather, 2002) that the nutri- are attractive to native insects and consequently inter- tional quality of plant tissues, concentrations of plant fere with interactions of these native insects with native 186 S. VEERARAGAVAN ET AL. plants. Through a comparative study on insects on related References native and invasive plants in invaded habitats, (Carpenter Abubacker, M. N., Ramanathan, R., & Kumar, T. S. (2008). & Cappuccino, 2005) reported that abundance of insect In vitro antifungal activity of Cassia alata Linn. flower herbivores is oen lo ft wer on invasive plants. Thus, it is extract. Natural Product Radiance, 7, 6–9. Amutha, S. (1994).  Bioecology and control of three clear that the possibilities for heavy pest infestation are pyralids Hendecasis duplifascialis  Hampson.  Nausinoe very limited in the case of S. alata by the virtue of its phy- geometralis  (Guenee) and  Margaronia unionalis  Hub. tochemical constituents and /or morphological charac- on  Jasminum  spp (Ph.D. Thesis). University of Madras, teristics. But still, it is felt that these findings on insect Tamil Nadu, India. pest association and nature of infestation in S. alata and Arju, M. H., Bashar, M. A., & Moula, G. (2010). Developmental their seasonality would be a significant contribution to S. stages of a mottled emigrant buttery fl , Catopsilia pyranthe . Dhaka University Journal of Biological Sciences, 19(2), alata leaf collectors and traders to collect pest-free quality 171–179. leaves for commercial purpose and quality seeds for those Atluri, J. B., Ramana, S., & Reddi, C. S. (2004). Ecobiology maintain commercial nurseries to raise S. alata plant for of the tropical pierid buttery fl Catopsilia pyranthe . Current ornamental/commercial purpose (Figures 12 and 13). Science, 86(3), 457–461. Awmack, C. S., & Leather, S. R. (2002). Host plant quality and fecundity in herbivorous insects. Annual Review of Conclusion Entomology, 47(1), 817–844. Bezemer, T. M., Harvey, J. A., & Cronin, J. T. (2014). Response S. alata, one of the invasive of India, is preferred by mini- of native insect communities to invasive plants. Annual mum number of insects for ovideposition. Ovideposition Review of Entomology, 59, 119–141. is influenced by temperature, humidity, and rainfall Biswas, G. C. (2014). Insect pests of groundnut (Arachis during late post-monsoon and summer and the borers hypogaea L.), nature of damage and succession with the are influenced during late summer and pre-monsoon crop stages. Bangladesh Journal of Agricultural Research, period. Reporting on the use of S. alata by the jewel 39(2), 273–282. Brody, A. K. (1992). Oviposition choices by a pre-dispersal bug C. stolli for feeding as well as ovideposition might seed predator (Hylemya sp.). II. A positive association be the pioneer one. Infestation in flower buds by borer between female choice and fruit set. Oecologia, 91, 63–67. is higher than pod borers. Sighting and recording of Brody, A. K., & Waser, N. M. (1995). Oviposition patterns and a worm inside the anther is probably be the first time larval success of a pre-dispersal seed predator attacking in S. alata (based on the literature survey) One of the two confamilial host plants. Oikos, 74, 447–452. Carpenter, D., & Cappuccino, N. (2005). Herbivory, time worms found developing inside the anther which has since introduction and the invasiveness of exotic plants. to be addressed intensively so as to find out how the Journal of Ecology, 93(2), 315–321. worm is happen to be inside the anther. Low level of Courtney, S. P. (1990). Mother doesn’t know best: Selection pest in S. alata in terms of quality and quantity might be of hosts by ovipositing insects. Insect-plant Interactions, 2, due to its phytochemical constituents and/ or intrinsic 161–188. invasive trait. Therefore, possibilities for heavy insect David, S. K. (1958). Insects and mites ae ff cting jasmine in the Madras state. e M Th adras Agricultural Journal, 45(4), pest infestation in S. alata are very limited. As scientific 146–150. information pertaining to insect pest in S. alata and Dhiman, S. C., &  Kumar, P. (2005). Food plants and seasonal their seasonality are almost not available and S. alata is occurrence of Chrysocoris stolli Wolf. (Heteroptera – commercially important plant species, present findings Pentatomidae - Scutellerinae). In VI National symposium would be more useful to Senna leaf collectors from the on Indian Entomology, Productivity and Health (A silver jubilee celebration), October 2–4, 2005, Abstract 70, page wild in understanding pest infestation status during any 60. Muzaffarnagar, India: Uttar Pradesh Zoological Society given period of time. Muzaffarnagar. Dhiman, S. C., &  Kumar, P. (2006). Oviposition, fecundity and egg structure of Chrysocoris stolli Wolf. (Heteroptera Acknowledgement – Pentatomidae - Scutellerinae). In National symposium We thank Dr. A. Yogamoorthi, and Dr. S M. Sundarapandian, on Role of Applied Zoology in food Production and Human Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Health. (A Golden jubilee celebration) 23rd and 24th Pondicherry University for their suggestion during the study December 2006, Abstract IP 10, page 43. Saharanpur, period. We also thank the Pondicherry University for provid- India: Department of Zoology, M.S. (P.G.) College. ing facilities required for the study. We also record our sincere Fitt, G. P. (1989). The ecology of Heliothis species in relation thanks to Horticulture Division, Government of Pondicherry to agroecosystems. Annual Review of Entomology, 34(1), and Horticulture wing of Pondicherry University and Tamil 17–53. Nadu Agriculture University, Coimbatore for providing as Jiménez-Pérez, A., & Wang, Q. (2003). Oviposition behaviour field information on crop pests and identification of adult of ‘Cnephasia’ jactatana Walker (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) insects collected. on kiwifruit. New Zealand Entomologist, 26(1), 109–111. Liu, Z., Scheirs, J., & Heckel, D. G. (2010). Host plant flowering increases both adult oviposition preference and larval Disclosure statement performance of a generalist herbivore. Environmental No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors. Entomology, 39(2), 552–560. GEOLOGY, ECOLOGY, AND LANDSCAPES 187 Kamala, M.,  Chinniah, C.,  Kennedy, J., Kalyanasundaram, M., Sarma, S., Senthilkumar, N., & Das, S. K. R. (2008). Insect pests & Suganthy, M. (2017). Pesticidal effect of indigenous plant of medicinal and aromatic plants and their management: extracts against jasmine bud worm, Hendecasis duplifascialis An overview. Indian Forester, 134(1), 105–119. Hampson. in Jasmine (Jasminum sambac L.). International Selvaraju, N. G., & Sakthivel, N. (2012). Host plants of Journal Of Tropical Agriculture 35(2), 315–323. papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Kumar, P., & Dhiman, S. C. (2013). Chrysocoris stolli Wolf, Granara de Willink.) in Tamil Nadu. Karnataka Journal of A Sap Feeder Pentatomidae Bug on the Weed in North Agricultural Sciences, 24(4). Western Districts of Uttar Pradesh. IJASR, 3(2), 89–92. Sharma, P. C., Kumar, A., Mehta, P. K., & Singh, R. Mahalingam, C. A., Suresh, S., Subramanian, S., Murugesh, (2014). Survey studies on insect-pests associated with K. A., Mohanraj, P., & Shanmugam, R. (2010). Papaya important medicinal plants in Himachal Pradesh. mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus – A new pest on Evaluation, 2(7), 3. mulberry, Morus spp. Karnataka Journal of Agricultural Suganthi, A., Chandrasekaran, S., & Regupathy, A. (2006). Sciences, 23(1), 182–183. Pheromone release behaviour of jasmine bud worm, Meenatchi, R., Giraddi, R. S., Patil, V. S., Vastrad, A. S., & Hendecasis duplifascialis Hampson (Pyraustidae: Biradar, D. P. (2011). Effect of vermitechnologies on Lepidoptera). J. Entomol., 3, 236–240. jasmine insect pests. Karnataka Journal of Agricultural Tanwar, R. K., Jeyakumar, P., & Vennila, S. (2010). Papaya Sciences, 24(3). mealybug and its management strategies (p. 26). New Muniappan, R., Shepard, B. M., Watson, G. W., Carner, G. R., Delhi: National Centre for Integrated Pest Management. Sartiami, D., Rauf, A., & Hammig, M. D. (2008). First report Yang, Y., Johnson, M. L., & Zalucki, M. P. (2008). Possible of the Papaya Mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus (Hemiptera: effect of genetically modified cotton on foraging habits of Pseudococcidae), in Indonesia and India. Journal of early instar Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Agricultural and Urban Entomology, 25(1), 37–40. Noctuidae) larvae. Australian Journal of Entomology, Permana, A. D., Johari, A., Putra, R. E., Sastrodihardjo, S., & 47(2), 137–141. Ahmad, I. (2012). The influence of trichome characters of Zalucki, M. P., Daglish, G., Firempong, S., & Twine, P. (1986). soybean (Glycine max Merrill) on oviposition preference e b Th iology and ecology of Heliothis-armigera (Hubner) of soybean pod borer Etiella zinckenella Treitschke and Heliothis-punctigera Wallengren (Lepidoptera, (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Indonesia. Journal of Noctuidae) in Australia – What do we know. Australian Entomology and Nematology, 4(3), 15–21. Journal of Zoology, 34(6), 779–814. Pettersson, M. W. (1992). Taking a chance on moths: ZAUBA. (2015). Retrieved from https://www.Zauba.com/ Oviposition by Delia flavifrons (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) export-candle%20bush+Cassia on the flowers of bladder campion, Silene vulgaris Zimmerman, M. (1980). Reproduction in Polemonium: Pre- (Caryophyllaceae). Ecological Entomology, 17(1), 57–62. dispersal seed predation. Ecology, 61(3), 502–506. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Geology Ecology and Landscapes Taylor & Francis

Prevalence and seasonality of insect pests in medicinally important plant Senna alata L. under tropical climate in the Coromandel Coast of India

Download PDF
11 pages

Loading next page...
 
/lp/taylor-francis/prevalence-and-seasonality-of-insect-pests-in-medicinally-important-nvXEzHVIu9

References (33)

Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Copyright
© 2018 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
ISSN
2474-9508
DOI
10.1080/24749508.2018.1452476
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

GeoloGy, ecoloGy, and landscapes, 2018 Vol . 2, no . 3, 177–187 https://doi.org/10.1080/24749508.2018.1452476 INWASCON OPEN ACCESS Prevalence and seasonality of insect pests in medicinally important plant Senna alata L. under tropical climate in the Coromandel Coast of India a a b Savitha Veeraragavan , Ramamoorthy Duraisamy and Sudhakaran Mani a b d epartment of ecology & environmental s ciences, pondicherry University, puducherry, India; d epartment of environmental s ciences, Tamil nadu a gricultural University, c oimbatore, India ABSTRACT ARTICLE HISTORY Received 27 s eptember 2017 An attempt is made to examine prevalence of insect pests and their seasonality in Senna alata a ccepted 15 d ecember 2017 L. from Puducherry region, India covering a period of one year. Totally, five insects found to make use of S. alata for ovideposition viz. butterfly (Catopsilia pyranthe), Jewel bug (potamid KEYWORDS Chrysocoris stollii), flower bud worm (Hendecasis duplifascialis) Aphides (Aphis sp.), and Mealy Senna alata; seasonality; bugs. All egg masses collected from leaves and flower buds are reared and developmental ovideposition; Catopsilia stages are documented. Secondly, two virulent borers viz. flower bud borer H. duplifascialis and pyranthe; Chrysocoris stollii; pod borer Etiella zinckenella and their developmental stages are also documented for the first bud borers; worm inside anther time in S. alata; thirdly, the extent of caterpillars that destroy medicinally important leaves of S. alata mostly young leaves, has also been documented. Adult insects viz. aphides (Aphis sp.) and green stink bug Acrosternum hilare, are also found feeding on leaves of S. alata. The last but unique observation made during field study is sighting of a worm inside anther for the first time. The seasonal study revealed that ovideposition is influenced by temperature and rainfall and showed higher level of ovideposition during late post-monsoon and early summer. The overall picture on association of insect pest with S. alata indicated a low level of insect pest faunal diversity. Present report would be considered as the important input into the annals of medicinally important member of the genus Senna. Introduction of Cassia have been reported by Atluri, Ramana, and Reddi (2004). Studies in bud borer Hendecasis duplifas- Senna alata L. belonging to family Fabaceae, is an inva- cialis Hampson is taken up by David (1958), Amutha sive species in India from South America. S. alata is (1994); Suganthi, Chandrasekaran, and Regupathy reported to possess many medicinally important phy- (2006) and Meenatchi, Giraddi, Patil, Vastrad, and toconstituents which form as principal ingredient in Biradar (2011). Recently, Kamala, Chinniah, Kennedy, a variety of antifungal balm and cream formulations Kalyanasundaram, and Suganthy (2017) have made a (Abubacker, Ramanathan, & Kumar, 2008) and hence survey in major jasmine growing districts of Tamil it has got export value also (ZAUBA, 2015). Moreover, Nadu and assessed distribution, infestation level potted plants are raised in nurseries as ornamental and the relative importance of jasmine budworm, plant and sold (https://nurserylive.com/buy-avenue- Hendecasis duplifascialis. Regarding pod borer, Etiella trees-plants-online-in-india/cassia-alata-plants-in-in- zinckenella, Sarma, Senthilkumar, and Das (2008) have dia.) and seeds are also collected, screened for quality made extensive survey on the pest in selected medici- and traded (https://www.amazon.com/Candle-Senna- nal plants and reported E. zinckenella, oviposition egg Alata-Cassia-Shrub/dp/B00WJCTK0I). In this con- Permana, Johari, Putra, Sastrodihardjo, and Ahmad text, insect pests are the major negative biological (2012) have reported a variety of insect pests including factor in view of health and yield of crops and it is pod-feeding Lepidoptera larvae of E. zinckenella. The more concerned in the case of medicinally important larvae of polyphagous pest, gram pod borer, E. zinck- plants like S. alata. Leaves of plants and flowers are enella, found to cause damage to W. somnifera leaves preferred by few insects for ovideposition and vari- and flower buds (Sharma, Kumar, Mehta, & Singh, ous attributes have been put forward to explain host 2014). Mealy bugs are also recorded in different medic - selection behaviour in female insects (Brody, 1992; inal plant including species of genus Cassia other than Brody & Waser, 1995; Jiménez-Pérez & Wang, 2003; S. alata (Mahalingam et al., 2010; Muniappan et al., Pettersson, 1992; Zimmerman, 1980). Ovideposition 2008; Selvaraju & Sakthivel, 2012; Tanwar, Jeyakumar, & Vennila, 2010). by emigrant butterfly Catopsilia pyranthe in species CONTACT Ramamoorthy d uraisamy d.ramamoorthy01@gmail.com © 2018 The a uthor(s). published by Informa UK limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an open a ccess article distributed under the terms of the creative c ommons a ttribution license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 178 S. VEERARAGAVAN ET AL. Figure 1a. S. alata l syn. Cassia alata. Present scenario on the use of members of genus Sample collection Senna is reported to be most important in terms of their The field study on insect pests in S. alata is made more medicinal and export potential. However, being impor- effective using a hand lens (10  cm dia) and butter- tant medicinal plant scientific information on prevalence fly/insect nets. It is learnt from trial field survey that of insect pest in S. alata L. and its seasonality is not avail- pest could be categorized into two viz. swiftly flying able from tropical regions. Hence, present study has been insects and slow moving. Therefore, an indigenous undertaken to prevalence and seasonality of insect pests technique has been adopted to maximize pest collec- in medicinally important plant S. alata L. profusely grow- tion. A single plant S. alata is totally covered by a large ing under tropical climate in the Pondicherry region. transparent plastic bag down to the base of the plant to trap the entire flying and slow moving pest as fast Material and methodology as possible. The mouth of bag is tied at the base of the plants and its plant cut at the base off and whole plant Study area with trapped insects and worms seen inside the bag. S. alata L. it is an erect herb, 2–3 m tall with compound A small amount of cotton chocked in 5% formalin is leaves. Terminal inflorescence is a spike with a beautiful dropped into the bag. After 15 min, plant is shaken cluster of golden yellow flower resembles yellow candle - well and all the insects and worms are collected and sticks. The study region comes under tropical climatic brought to the laboratory for further identification experiencing two rainy seasons; one north-east mon- studies. soon shower (October–December) which is the prin- Secondly, the egg masses noticed on the leaves and cipal period of precipitation received by Pondicherry flower buds are collected gently along with leaves and region on the south-east coast of India and another buds and brought to the laboratory and reared to find short spell during south-west monsoon (April–June). out ovidepositor. Besides, worms from flower buds e r Th egion receives an annual rainfall of about 2400 mm and infected pods are also collected, photographed of rainfall. The maximum and minimum temperatures and reared in the laboratory to find out the adult. are 34.4 °C and 25.2 °C during summer and monsoon, Images of adult insects, leaves with ovideposition and respectively. The relative humidity of the study region developmental stages of larvae are done using digital ranged from 86% and a minimum of 64%. Totally, six microscope, USB, under 500× (Duratool-gaosuo). Data sites where S. alata is profusely growing in and around collected on number of egg masses on leaves and on Pondicherry region, are selected for the study (Figure flower buds of S. alata and insect pest prevalent in the 1(a) and 1(b)). As insect pests are mostly influenced by S. alata during 12  months period covering four sea- local environmental factors like temperature and rain- sons viz. post-monsoon, summer, pre-monsoon, and fall, presently, data relating to study region have been monsoon are presented as graphs. Adult insect pests obtained from Department of statistics and commerce, are identified with Entomology Dept of Agriculture, Government of Pondicherry for the study period. The Govt of Pondicherry, Horticulture department of the investigation is done for one complete year during 2015 Pondicherry University and Tamil Nadu Agriculture covering four seasons. University, Tamil Nadu. GEOLOGY, ECOLOGY, AND LANDSCAPES 179 Figure 1b. s tudy site. s ource: a uthor. white eggs of Jewel bug collected along with the leaf are Results reared in the lab and after 10 days nymph of jewel bug Seasonal field survey on insect pests associated with is formed. Nymphs looked like dark red dots (equal to S. alata has brought out very interesting and unique the pin head-1–2  mm). The nymph feed on debris of findings. The outcome of seasonal field study is dealt leaves which were previously bearing eggs. After one as six categories. (1) leaves used as a site for ovidep- week, the nymph transformed into an adult bug and osition: five types of eggs masses, four laid on leaves it is identified as  C. stolli,  a  potamid  bug. From third and other one on flower bud viz. buttery fl C. pyranthe, type of egg collected, after 14 days, there emerged lar - Jewel bug, Chrysocoris stollii, mealy bugs, and aphids and vae of Hendecasis duplifascialis and at the end of 23rd Hendecasis duplifascialis, respectively; Among five types, day, the adult insect emerged. Fourth and fifth types three without any cover- or cocoon-like structure and are not successful. However, based on morphological two with a spongy cover made of white fibrous material; features of eggs and previous reports, it is reasonably (2) One borer found inside bud and matured flowers presumed that it might be the eggs of aphides and (Hendecasis duplifascialis); (3) Borers found inside pod another presumed as Mealy bugs. Adult aphides and (Etiella zinckenella); (4) Caterpillars of a buttery a fl nd mealy bugs are also noticed in the host plant feeding borer; (5) A tiny worm inside anther; (6) Adult insects on the leaves and soft stems. Two borer worms are feeding on leaves of S. alata (other than ovidepositors) recorded in the present study one on flower buds and viz. another one young pods. The well-grown worm is found All egg masses and larvae collected from infected to bore into flower buds and eats up all the floral parts flower bud and pods are reared under normal labora- leaving plenty of excreta (Figure 4(a)–(e)). On rearing tory conditions to a maximum of 30 days. By 21st day, the worm for 7 days, an adult insect came out and it is the adult emerged as Buttery fl ,  C. pyranthe. The sec- identified as  H. duplifascialis, emerged out aer ft passing ond creamy white developed into Jewel bug  C. stolli thro pupation. Regarding pod borer, the small holes are and third one collected from surface of the flower seen in young pods and on rearing for 30 days i.e., aer ft bud emerged as Hendecasis duplifascialis Hampson passing through two types of larval stages (Figure 5(a)– (Pyrauptidae: Lepidoptera). All developmental stages (f )) the adult insect, E. zinckenella, emerged out. The are photographed and presented (Figures 2(a)–(f ) and third category pest is the Caterpillars feeding mostly 3(a)–(h)). The striking observation made with regard on young leaves. Caterpillars of the mottled emigrant to pupa of a buttery fl , is the surface appearance of the buttery  fl are  prevalent during post-monsoon to late pupa. The pupa actually mimics the surface of a leaf summer in S. alata. Caterpillars inflict damage by eating having venation-like ornamentation with green col- foliage and stems voraciously and defoliate a plant in a our and mid rib (Figure 2(d)) and the length of pupa short period of time (Figure 6(a)–(e)). These caterpillars ranged from 2.5 to 3.0 cm. After the emergent of adult also reared and emerged adult is identified as a migrant from the pupa, the greenish pupa turned into creamy white and dried off (Figure 2 (e)). Similarly, pure creamy buttery fl , Catopsilia pyranthe. 180 S. VEERARAGAVAN ET AL. Figure 2. life stages of eggs of butterfly collected from leaves of S. alata reared in laboratory. (a) e ggs on the leaves, (b) larva feeding on leaves, (c) pupa, (d) close-up view of pupa, (e) white pupa after emergent of adult, (f ) adult mottled emigrant butterfly. Figure 3. life stages of eggs of Jewel bug (C. stolli) collected from the leaves of S. alata reared in laboratory. (a) adult bugs in the polythene bag, (b) eggs collected from wild, (c) embryo development inside eggs, (d) size of egg (pin head for comparison), (e) fully developed embryo, (f ) nymph just come out from embryo sac, (g) nymph of jewel bug, (h) adult bug C. stolli. One of the striking observations made in the present prevalence in S. alata are influenced by factors viz. tem- study is sighting of a worm inside anther. Anthers meas- perature and rainfall and high prevalence of ovidepo- ured about 10 mm in length. Since it is interesting and sition during late post-monsoon and summer and the strange to see a worm coming out of an anther, it is then bores during late summer and pre-monsoon periods. video graphed in addition to photographs (Figure 7(c)). When anther with worm is split open longitudinally to Discussion isolate worm for rearing, we could see full of excreta A field-based study on insect pests association with inside rather than pollen grains. Moreover, as the length S. alata has brought out many interesting and unique is of about 10  mm and worm inside is (6–7  mm) less observations. The mottled emigrant buttery fl C. pyran- than anther length, (Figure 7(b)–(d)), it is very fragile the a member of the family Pieridae, (Lepidoptera: to collect the worm alive. The overall understanding on Rhopalocera) is a tropical species, selects S. alata as seasonality of pest infestation in S. alata in relation to host plant for ovidepostion. It has been reported that climatic factors indicates ovideposition and insect pest GEOLOGY, ECOLOGY, AND LANDSCAPES 181 Figure 4. Flower bud boring by flower bud borer: (a) flower bud borer collected from infected bud; (b) bore made by worm; (c) worm enters into flower bud; (d) worm smashing internal floral parts; (e) end of flower bud. Figure 5. d evastation of pods of S. alata by pod borer: (a–b) pod borer, (c) worm coming out of the pod, (d–e) reared cocoon, (F) adult. two species of Catopsilia viz., C. crocale and C. pyran- in different species of genus Cassia. C. pyranthe is seen the, feeding freely upon Cassia species (Atluri et al., laying eggs on the leaves of Cassia javanica, C. alata, 2004). During its larval stage, it feeds on leaves vora- C. auriculata, C. fistula, Albizia lebbck (Arju, Bashar, & ciously and destroys the foliar health and productivity Moula, 2010). Atluri et al. (2004) has listed oviposition (Figure 6(b)–(d)). Most adult Lepidoptera moth and host plants as Cassia siamea, C. fistula, C. occidentalis, buttery f fl eed on nectar, whereas caterpillars consume C. auriculata, C. tora, S. alata, C. siamea (Sharma et al., mainly structural tissue such as leaves, stems, flowers, 2014). Thus, among various plants preferred by the but- and fruits (Liu, Scheirs, & Heckel, 2010). In the present tery fl , present study confirms that S. alata is preferred study, it is found that buttery fl C. pyranthe make use of not only for ovideposition but also food for their larvae. the plant S. alata for oviposition and to complete its life e s Th econd type of eggs collected and reared in the cycle and leaves serve as food for the caterpillars. This laboratory is the eggs of Jewel bug. Adult jewel bug C. caterpillar nuisance is quite obvious in S. alata during stolli. (Heteroptera–Pentatomidae–Scutellerinae). It late post-monsoon and summer. Present findings are is polyphagus bug with beautiful coloration (metallic in conformity with previous reports of various workers and green blue with black spots), reported to cause 182 S. VEERARAGAVAN ET AL. Figure 6. d evastation of leaves of S. alata by caterpillars: (a–c) perforated leaves by caterpillar; (d–e) caterpillars feeding on both from dorsal and ventral sides. Figure 7. Worm inside anther: (a) flower of S. alata (arrows indicate fertile stamens); (b) individual anther measuring 1 cm; (c) arrow indicates head of worm inside anther; (d) worm taken out from anther; (e) close-up view of distal end of anther showing two tiny openings; (f ) single arrow indicates internal content of healthy anther; double arrows indicate internal nature of anther after worm attack; (g) destroyed terminal ends of anther after worm exit of thro distal end. considerable loss to many plants of economic value detailed study on ovideposition behaviour of C. stolli. and presently in S. alata also. Present observation on Kumar and Dhiman (2013) have reported that selection occurrence of jewel bug is in conformity with reports of host for oviposition by Jewel bug, C. stolli in Cassia of Dhiman and Kumar (2005, 2006) who have done a occidentalis and Croton sparcior fl us feeding on the leaves GEOLOGY, ECOLOGY, AND LANDSCAPES 183 Figure 8. eggs collected from leaves and flower bud of S. alata. (a) Catopsilia pyranthe (Butterfly), (b) Chrysochoris stollii (Jewel bug), (c) Hendecasiss duplifascialiss(bud borer), (d) mealy bug, (e) unidentified egg. Figure 9. (a) and (b) aphides feeding on Senna alata. during winter and sheltering in the plant during the away; moreover, adult aphides are noticed feeding on summer season. In the present study, similar seasonality floral parts and presented (Figure 9(a) and (b)). Aphids has been observed. are a small so b ft odied sap-sucking insects with the long Rearing of fourth type of egg with bright orange slender mouth parts for piercing leaf and soft stem and colour (Figure 8(e)) is not successful. However, it has considered as one among the most destructive insect been tried to identify the insect based on morphological pests on cultivated plants. From an ecological point features of eggs and mode of deposition in comparison of view, they are a highly successful due to their asex- with reports of Tanwar et al.(2010); Mahalingam et al. ual reproductive capabilities. Thus, it is clear from field (2010) and Selvaraju and Sakthivel (2012) on mealy bugs survey followed by the laboratory studies that S. alata egg types, it is reasonably presumed that the ovidepos- is preferred by insects for ovideposition. Host selection itor might be the mealy bugs. Muniappan et al. (2008) for oviposition is complex process involving factors such have reported mealy bugs in varieties of cultivated agri- as shape, colour, texture, size, and chemical composi- cultural and horticultural flower crops, vegetables, and tion of the host plant (Courtney, 1990). As reported by fruits. As fifth type of egg masses covered with cotton Zalucki, Daglish, Firempong, and Twine (1986) and b fi re-like structure has not shown any positive result on (Fitt, 1989)  ability of ovipositioning to locate and uti- rearing, an attempt is made to locate same type of eggs lize a wide range of hosts, is one of the major factors in the S. alata in the field. Interestingly, when the fibres contributing to the pest status of the plants. In the case from the same type of egg masses found on leaves, are of S. alata, factor influences host selection might be removed gently, tiny insects similar to young aphids fly chemical response (chemo-receptors/sensores) working 184 S. VEERARAGAVAN ET AL. Figure 10. anthracnose in bud (a and b) and pod (c and d). between host and insect, that influences host selection e s Th trange but ecologically significant observation for ovideposition in addition to leaf morphology and is sighting of worm inside the anthers. The worm is availability of better host. Availability of suitable host found inside anther and trying to come out by break- plants for ovideposition could also be a factor because ing the anther (Figure 7(g)–(i)). As anther is 10 mm in S. alata being an invasive, maintains monospecific pop- length and the soft-bodied worm inside anther is less ulation in the study site and no other native plant is than 10 mm (Figure 7(b) and (d)) practically it is very available. Therefore, while analyzing factors influencing difficult to take out the worms alive. This observation host selection, availability both in type and quantity of eventually raises the question that under which circum- the plant, could not be ignored. Last but not the least, it stance s the worm is happened to be inside the anther. could be attributed that leaves of S. alata are not grazed To address this, we could reasonably presume based by larger herbivores-like cattles. on reports already available in this subject matter and  In addition to ovideposition in S. alata, two worms observation made in the field that the unknown insect viz. flower bud and pod borer worm are found to feed on might have laid eggs on the micro pile seen at the distal young buds and seeds (pod) of S. alata. It is noticed in end of the anther (Figure 7(e)). The larvae that come the field that the well-grown worm is found to bore into out from the eggs start eating the pollen inside. Once the flower buds (Figure 4(d)) and eats up all the floral they grow bigger, they try to come out by breaking the parts viz. corolla, style, and stigma – leaving much dark wall of anther in all possible direction (Figure 7(g)–(i)). brown excreta. Similarly in the pods, the seeds are eaten While they are inside, their excreta gets accumulated and by the worm and remaining seeds are succumb to fungal spoil anther (Figure 7(f )). On coming out of the anther, attack. Secondary infection in pods and buds are found these well-grown worms, start feeding on flower buds. to the by pathogenic fungal species viz. Aspergillus niger Now, it is assumed that this is the stage at which we have and A. flavus (Figure 10(a) and (b)). Similar problem due collected and recorded the worm while boring the bud to bud borer H. duplifascialis has been reported earlier Hendecasis dulplifascialis (Figure 4). In view of above by (Amutha, 1994; Meenatchi et al., 2011; Suganthi et al., observations made, it is presumed that the adult which 2006) in flowers of various economically important flow - deposited the eggs might be Hendecasis duplifascialis; ers. S. alata is an important plant in terms of the source however, further intensive study on this specific aspect of medicine aesthetic values, the present finding would would definitely bring out the complete life history of the help to manage such problems where S. alata is raised inside anthers of S. alata. The output would open up new in nurseries for commercial purpose. concept/scientific thought in the field of ovideposition It is learnt from rearing of worm collected from pod and host selection process. Besides, worms, adult insects that pods of S. alata are infected by a common polypha- viz. Aphides (Aphis sp.) and green stink bug Acrosternum gous pest E. zinckenella (Figure 10(c) and (d)). es Th e hilare are the two adult insects feeding on leaves and borers enter into the pod and start eating seeds. These flowers of S. alata, making tiny holes on the leaves and pod borers are not only recorded in Withania somnifera thereby reducing the photosynthetic surface are of the farmer’s field at Bilaspur (Sharma et al., 2014) but also leaves. in more crops in the entire South Asian region (Biswas, To ascertain the influence of major climatic factors viz. 2014; Fitt, 1989; Yang, Johnson, & Zalucki, 2008) have atmospheric temperature and rainfall relating to study recorded pod borer E. zinckenella in pigeon pea dam- region on the prevalence, abundance, and seasonality, aging both flower and pod. Thus, reports on attack of Figures 5 and 11 clearly illustrate that ovideposition is flower bud borer and pod borer in S. alata are the first activated during post-monsoon till summer and the report and considered as important contribution in worms prevalence and abundance are noticed during management of nurseries where S. alata is grown for late summer and early pre-monsoon period. In conclu- ornamental–commercial purpose and inflict in leaves sion, it is stated that as far as S. alata is concerned, infes- which are one of the export-oriented herbal bases in tation in terms of use of leaves for ovideposition, bud India. and pod destruction by worms and adult leaf feeding GEOLOGY, ECOLOGY, AND LANDSCAPES 185 Figure 11. Influence of rainfall on ovideposition in number of leaves, flower bud and bud borer, pod borer in Senna alata. Figure 12. Influence of temperature on ovideposition in number of leaves, flower bud and bud borer, pod borer in S. alata. Figure 13. Influence of rainfall on ovideposition in number of leaves, flower bud and bud borer, pod borer in S. alata. insects, seemed to be less serious. Such a low level of metabolites and morphology of the plant, significantly infestation may be due to the intrinsic characteristics of influence negatively on feeding behaviour and develop- an invasive species possessed by S. alata and/or the type ment of native herbivores in invasive plant population. of phytochemical constituents present in host plant parts. Moreover, reports of (Bezemer, Harvey, & Cronin, 2014) It is seemed to a potential anti-herbivory not only to have indicated that invasive plants may contain novel invertebrates-like insects but also larger vertebrates-like secondary compounds that are toxic to native herbivores cattles. es Th e attributes are seem to be relevant from and their natural enemies, or may produce odours that the reports of (Awmack & Leather, 2002) that the nutri- are attractive to native insects and consequently inter- tional quality of plant tissues, concentrations of plant fere with interactions of these native insects with native 186 S. VEERARAGAVAN ET AL. plants. Through a comparative study on insects on related References native and invasive plants in invaded habitats, (Carpenter Abubacker, M. N., Ramanathan, R., & Kumar, T. S. (2008). & Cappuccino, 2005) reported that abundance of insect In vitro antifungal activity of Cassia alata Linn. flower herbivores is oen lo ft wer on invasive plants. Thus, it is extract. Natural Product Radiance, 7, 6–9. Amutha, S. (1994).  Bioecology and control of three clear that the possibilities for heavy pest infestation are pyralids Hendecasis duplifascialis  Hampson.  Nausinoe very limited in the case of S. alata by the virtue of its phy- geometralis  (Guenee) and  Margaronia unionalis  Hub. tochemical constituents and /or morphological charac- on  Jasminum  spp (Ph.D. Thesis). University of Madras, teristics. But still, it is felt that these findings on insect Tamil Nadu, India. pest association and nature of infestation in S. alata and Arju, M. H., Bashar, M. A., & Moula, G. (2010). Developmental their seasonality would be a significant contribution to S. stages of a mottled emigrant buttery fl , Catopsilia pyranthe . Dhaka University Journal of Biological Sciences, 19(2), alata leaf collectors and traders to collect pest-free quality 171–179. leaves for commercial purpose and quality seeds for those Atluri, J. B., Ramana, S., & Reddi, C. S. (2004). Ecobiology maintain commercial nurseries to raise S. alata plant for of the tropical pierid buttery fl Catopsilia pyranthe . Current ornamental/commercial purpose (Figures 12 and 13). Science, 86(3), 457–461. Awmack, C. S., & Leather, S. R. (2002). Host plant quality and fecundity in herbivorous insects. Annual Review of Conclusion Entomology, 47(1), 817–844. Bezemer, T. M., Harvey, J. A., & Cronin, J. T. (2014). Response S. alata, one of the invasive of India, is preferred by mini- of native insect communities to invasive plants. Annual mum number of insects for ovideposition. Ovideposition Review of Entomology, 59, 119–141. is influenced by temperature, humidity, and rainfall Biswas, G. C. (2014). Insect pests of groundnut (Arachis during late post-monsoon and summer and the borers hypogaea L.), nature of damage and succession with the are influenced during late summer and pre-monsoon crop stages. Bangladesh Journal of Agricultural Research, period. Reporting on the use of S. alata by the jewel 39(2), 273–282. Brody, A. K. (1992). Oviposition choices by a pre-dispersal bug C. stolli for feeding as well as ovideposition might seed predator (Hylemya sp.). II. A positive association be the pioneer one. Infestation in flower buds by borer between female choice and fruit set. Oecologia, 91, 63–67. is higher than pod borers. Sighting and recording of Brody, A. K., & Waser, N. M. (1995). Oviposition patterns and a worm inside the anther is probably be the first time larval success of a pre-dispersal seed predator attacking in S. alata (based on the literature survey) One of the two confamilial host plants. Oikos, 74, 447–452. Carpenter, D., & Cappuccino, N. (2005). Herbivory, time worms found developing inside the anther which has since introduction and the invasiveness of exotic plants. to be addressed intensively so as to find out how the Journal of Ecology, 93(2), 315–321. worm is happen to be inside the anther. Low level of Courtney, S. P. (1990). Mother doesn’t know best: Selection pest in S. alata in terms of quality and quantity might be of hosts by ovipositing insects. Insect-plant Interactions, 2, due to its phytochemical constituents and/ or intrinsic 161–188. invasive trait. Therefore, possibilities for heavy insect David, S. K. (1958). Insects and mites ae ff cting jasmine in the Madras state. e M Th adras Agricultural Journal, 45(4), pest infestation in S. alata are very limited. As scientific 146–150. information pertaining to insect pest in S. alata and Dhiman, S. C., &  Kumar, P. (2005). Food plants and seasonal their seasonality are almost not available and S. alata is occurrence of Chrysocoris stolli Wolf. (Heteroptera – commercially important plant species, present findings Pentatomidae - Scutellerinae). In VI National symposium would be more useful to Senna leaf collectors from the on Indian Entomology, Productivity and Health (A silver jubilee celebration), October 2–4, 2005, Abstract 70, page wild in understanding pest infestation status during any 60. Muzaffarnagar, India: Uttar Pradesh Zoological Society given period of time. Muzaffarnagar. Dhiman, S. C., &  Kumar, P. (2006). Oviposition, fecundity and egg structure of Chrysocoris stolli Wolf. (Heteroptera Acknowledgement – Pentatomidae - Scutellerinae). In National symposium We thank Dr. A. Yogamoorthi, and Dr. S M. Sundarapandian, on Role of Applied Zoology in food Production and Human Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Health. (A Golden jubilee celebration) 23rd and 24th Pondicherry University for their suggestion during the study December 2006, Abstract IP 10, page 43. Saharanpur, period. We also thank the Pondicherry University for provid- India: Department of Zoology, M.S. (P.G.) College. ing facilities required for the study. We also record our sincere Fitt, G. P. (1989). The ecology of Heliothis species in relation thanks to Horticulture Division, Government of Pondicherry to agroecosystems. Annual Review of Entomology, 34(1), and Horticulture wing of Pondicherry University and Tamil 17–53. Nadu Agriculture University, Coimbatore for providing as Jiménez-Pérez, A., & Wang, Q. (2003). Oviposition behaviour field information on crop pests and identification of adult of ‘Cnephasia’ jactatana Walker (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) insects collected. on kiwifruit. New Zealand Entomologist, 26(1), 109–111. Liu, Z., Scheirs, J., & Heckel, D. G. (2010). Host plant flowering increases both adult oviposition preference and larval Disclosure statement performance of a generalist herbivore. Environmental No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors. Entomology, 39(2), 552–560. GEOLOGY, ECOLOGY, AND LANDSCAPES 187 Kamala, M.,  Chinniah, C.,  Kennedy, J., Kalyanasundaram, M., Sarma, S., Senthilkumar, N., & Das, S. K. R. (2008). Insect pests & Suganthy, M. (2017). Pesticidal effect of indigenous plant of medicinal and aromatic plants and their management: extracts against jasmine bud worm, Hendecasis duplifascialis An overview. Indian Forester, 134(1), 105–119. Hampson. in Jasmine (Jasminum sambac L.). International Selvaraju, N. G., & Sakthivel, N. (2012). Host plants of Journal Of Tropical Agriculture 35(2), 315–323. papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Kumar, P., & Dhiman, S. C. (2013). Chrysocoris stolli Wolf, Granara de Willink.) in Tamil Nadu. Karnataka Journal of A Sap Feeder Pentatomidae Bug on the Weed in North Agricultural Sciences, 24(4). Western Districts of Uttar Pradesh. IJASR, 3(2), 89–92. Sharma, P. C., Kumar, A., Mehta, P. K., & Singh, R. Mahalingam, C. A., Suresh, S., Subramanian, S., Murugesh, (2014). Survey studies on insect-pests associated with K. A., Mohanraj, P., & Shanmugam, R. (2010). Papaya important medicinal plants in Himachal Pradesh. mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus – A new pest on Evaluation, 2(7), 3. mulberry, Morus spp. Karnataka Journal of Agricultural Suganthi, A., Chandrasekaran, S., & Regupathy, A. (2006). Sciences, 23(1), 182–183. Pheromone release behaviour of jasmine bud worm, Meenatchi, R., Giraddi, R. S., Patil, V. S., Vastrad, A. S., & Hendecasis duplifascialis Hampson (Pyraustidae: Biradar, D. P. (2011). Effect of vermitechnologies on Lepidoptera). J. Entomol., 3, 236–240. jasmine insect pests. Karnataka Journal of Agricultural Tanwar, R. K., Jeyakumar, P., & Vennila, S. (2010). Papaya Sciences, 24(3). mealybug and its management strategies (p. 26). New Muniappan, R., Shepard, B. M., Watson, G. W., Carner, G. R., Delhi: National Centre for Integrated Pest Management. Sartiami, D., Rauf, A., & Hammig, M. D. (2008). First report Yang, Y., Johnson, M. L., & Zalucki, M. P. (2008). Possible of the Papaya Mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus (Hemiptera: effect of genetically modified cotton on foraging habits of Pseudococcidae), in Indonesia and India. Journal of early instar Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Agricultural and Urban Entomology, 25(1), 37–40. Noctuidae) larvae. Australian Journal of Entomology, Permana, A. D., Johari, A., Putra, R. E., Sastrodihardjo, S., & 47(2), 137–141. Ahmad, I. (2012). The influence of trichome characters of Zalucki, M. P., Daglish, G., Firempong, S., & Twine, P. (1986). soybean (Glycine max Merrill) on oviposition preference e b Th iology and ecology of Heliothis-armigera (Hubner) of soybean pod borer Etiella zinckenella Treitschke and Heliothis-punctigera Wallengren (Lepidoptera, (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Indonesia. Journal of Noctuidae) in Australia – What do we know. Australian Entomology and Nematology, 4(3), 15–21. Journal of Zoology, 34(6), 779–814. Pettersson, M. W. (1992). Taking a chance on moths: ZAUBA. (2015). Retrieved from https://www.Zauba.com/ Oviposition by Delia flavifrons (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) export-candle%20bush+Cassia on the flowers of bladder campion, Silene vulgaris Zimmerman, M. (1980). Reproduction in Polemonium: Pre- (Caryophyllaceae). Ecological Entomology, 17(1), 57–62. dispersal seed predation. Ecology, 61(3), 502–506.

Journal

Geology Ecology and Landscapes – Taylor & Francis

Published: Jul 3, 2018

Keywords: Senna alata; seasonality; ovideposition; Catopsilia pyranthe; Chrysocoris stolli i; bud borers; worm inside anther

There are no references for this article.