Report on the occurrence of scolytid, Coccotrypes dactyliperda (Fabricius, 1801) on dates in Gujarat, India

Abstract

Field surveys conducted on the pest incidence of date palm during 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-2020 revealed a moderate to severe occurrence of date stone beetle, Coccotrypes dactyliperda (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) on immature date fruits in Kachchh (Nakhatrana) and Surendranagar (Dhangadhtra) districts of Gujarat. This is the first report of its occurrence on dates from Gujarat, India. Considering the significant area under date cultivation in the North West region of India, the pest needs to be monitored for its spread and kept under vigil. The diagnostics of the beetle, its damaging intensities along with distribution are presented in this paper.