Bioecology of the mango inflorescence caterpillar, Perixera illepidaria Guenée and record of its feeding on mango fruits

Abstract

Studies were conducted to understand the effect of weather parameters on the semilooper caterpillar, Perixera illepidaria Guenee (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), at ICAR Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru using three varieties of mango viz., Alphonso, Totapuri and Banganapalli from June 2015 to July 2016. Perixera illepidaria completed 3-4 generations from pre bloom to early fruit set. The adult moth laid eggs on mango flowers. The larval and pupal periods took 8-9 days and 5-7 days respectively, pupation normally takes place on flowers. The population of the insect was positively correlated with number of inflorescence buds (r= 0.39), the models y = 0.24x + 1.27 linear and y = 0.01x2 - 0.09x + 1.80 quadratic showed 55 – 64 % of variation in insect population and negatively correlated with minimum temperature (r= -0.39) and model y = -1.26x + 27.16 linear, explained about 43% in Alphonso. In case of Totapuri, population of insect was negatively correlated with wind speed (r= -0.46) the model y = -2.75x + 13.48 linear and y = 0.92x2 - 10.00x + 27.02 quadratic showed 59-63 % of variation in insect population and in Banganapalli, it was positively correlated with inflorescence bud (r= 0.62) and the two models y = 0.18x + 1.81 linear, y = -0.01x2 + 0.48x + 0.88, quadratic showed 52-68% of variation in insect population.. Due to the probable availability of synchronous flower and favourable weather in 2021, P. illepidaria shifted from inflorescence to fruits and caused huge damage in different regions of south India. Hence it is necessary to take immediate field trials to find out an effective management.