Lepidopteran pest complex of Dhataki, Woodfordia fruticosa with special reference to occurrence of leafroller, Strepsicrates sp. in India

Abstract

Surveys were conducted to record pest complex damaging a forest medicinal plant dhataki, Woodfordia fruticosa. Four lepidopteran defoliators were observed as pests causing significant damage to the plants. The leaf roller, Strepsicrates sp. was reported as a major defoliator of dhataki and the identity of the pest was confirmed through male and female genitalia and amplified product of Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene (GenBank no. OP648297). Further, the biology, morphometry, seasonal incidence and natural enemy complex of the leaf roller were recorded in the present study. The detailed information on different aspects like bio-ecology, seasonality and biocontrol of this leafroller, Strepsicrates sp. can be utilized for further development of viable management strategy as this was already reported as one of the major pests in economic plants like guava and eucalyptus in other countries.