New record of infestation of Malabar Parakeet [Psittacula columboides (Vigors, 1830)] on small cardamom

Abstract

A large-scale infestation of the Malabar parakeet, Psittacula columboides (Vigors, 1830), is reported on small cardamom [Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton; Zingiberaceae] for the first time. Nearly one hundred hectares of cardamom area was infested by P. columboides, and more than seventy-five farmers were affected in the Cardamom Hill Reserve area, Idukki district, Kerala, India. The bird has been causing damage to the economic part of the plant (capsule) by scooping the fruit surface with its beak and feeding on the internal content. Ground-level feeding and considerable damage to the cardamom capsules by P. columboides were unusual and unexpected. The possible reasons for the massive occurrence of this bird species and strategies to manage it in this unique agro-ecosystem were discussed.