Pest Succession of Sapota [Manilkara achras (Mill.) Forsberg] under Hill Zone of Karnataka, India

Abstract

The present study highlights pest succession of sapota [Manilkara achras (Mill.) Forsberg] under the hill zone of Karnataka, India. Considering the need to have an effective management strategy the present study which deals with various pests attacking sapota at different crop stages during both on-season and off-seasons was taken up. Fifteen species of insect pests were recorded at various stages of sapota crop during 2012-13 under the hill zone of Karnataka. Among them only eight species viz., Banisia myrsusalis elearalis Walker, Anarsia achrasella Bradley, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), B. zonata (Saunders), Achrocercops gemoniella Stainton, Icerya sp., Coccus viridis Green, Planococcus lilacinus Cockerell and Planococcus citri Risso attained major status prevailing in a severe form a long time. Four species were recorded only as stray pests during crop growth. The remaining three insect species appeared as minor pests without causing any severe and perceptible damage to the crop. Scale insects and mealy bugs were found during the vegetative, flowering, and fruiting stages of the plant as a minor form. Leaf-eating caterpillars, Semi-loopers, and Leaf twister weevils appeared as a stray form during the vegetative growth of sapota.