| Autor: |
Thube SH; ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Regional Station, Vittal 574243, Karnataka, India., Pandian TP; ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Regional Station, Vittal 574243, Karnataka, India., Bhavishya A; ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Regional Station, Vittal 574243, Karnataka, India., Babu M; ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Regional Station, Kayamkulam 690533, Kerala, India., Josephrajkumar A; ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Regional Station, Kayamkulam 690533, Kerala, India., Chaithra M; ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Regional Station, Vittal 574243, Karnataka, India., Hegde V; ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod 671124, Kerala, India., Ruzzier E; World Biodiversity Association Onlus c/o Museo Civico di Storia Naturale, Lungadige Porta Vittoria 9, 37129 Verona, Italy. |
| Abstrakt: |
Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is reported causing damage to areca palm plantations ( Areca catechu L.-Arecaceae) in Karnataka (India). In particular, X. crassiusculus has been observed attacking and successfully reproducing on areca nuts; besides the new host plant record, the data provided here represent the first documented case of spermatophagy for this xyleborine beetle. All infestation symptoms of this polyphagous pest were documented and illustrated. The identity of the scolytid, besides morphologically, was confirmed by its DNA barcoding. Eggs, larvae and pupae were found within the galleries of infested kernels. All galleries of the infested kernels were characterized by the presence of whitish to greyish fungal growth. The fungus was identified as Ambrosiella roeperi , a known symbiont of Xylosandrus crassiusculus . Incidence of this symbiotic insect-fungus complex in the economic part of arecanut, i.e., the kernel, is of serious concern. In a climate change scenario, this beetle with fungal symbionts may pose a serious threat to arecanut production in India and elsewhere. |
