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VOL. 3, ISSUE 4 (2018)
Sthenias grisator, a “Stem girdler beetle” boring pest, damages mulberry tree
Authors
Sanjai Kumar Gupta
Abstract
Sthenias grisator, often known as the stem
girdler beetle, is a polyphagous insect pest of the Cerambycidae family in the
order Coleoptera. Although widely recognized as a key grape pest, it also
attacks mulberry plants, causing minor to moderate damage in most cases, but in
some regions, such as India, it can cause substantial damage. During April and
May of each year, a severe outbreak of this bug occurred in the mulberry
plantation belonging to the Department of Entomology, College of Eastern Uttar
Pradesh, India. The female beetle harms by girdling young, delicate tips and
depositing individual whitish, spindle-shaped eggs slanted into the damaged
tissue. Both girdling and egg-laying cause physical damage, interfering with
nutrient movement and causing the shoot section above the girdle to wither and
eventually dry out. Field investigations revealed that around 10% of the plants
had these distinctive drooping and dried terminal branches. Plants found around
field margins, shaded by towering trees, were more seriously affected, with
infestation rates ranging from 25% to 30%. Effective control was accomplished
by quickly pruning and removing the damaged shoot portions just below the
girdled area ideally done before eggs hatched or the upper shoot completely
dried. This study provides useful information on the pest's biology, seasonal
behavior, the nature and extent of damage, and practical control measures for
stem-boring insects in mulberry farming.
Pages:71-74
How to cite this article:
Sanjai Kumar Gupta "Sthenias grisator, a “Stem girdler beetle” boring pest, damages mulberry tree". International Journal of Biology Research, Vol 3, Issue 4, 2018, Pages 71-74
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