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Coccinellidae is a diverse and species-rich family that includes predaceous, phytophagous and mycophagous insects, which are significant to agriculture. This study aimed to estimate the diversity of coccinellids and document their associated prey in agricultural fields of northern Kerala, India and to generate DNA barcodes for the species collected during the study. Twenty-seven species under seven tribes were reported in this study, which includes three phytophagous, two mycophagous and 22 predaceous beetles. The information on prey species and/or host plants of the beetles are given furnished. Diversity indices of coccinellids across different agroecological zones and crops of northern Kerala were estimated. Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I sequences of 18 species were generated and phylogenetic analysis was carried out. Coccinellini was recorded as the predominant tribe of Coccinellidae in northern Kerala. High hills were found to be the most diverse agroecological zone for Coccinellidae, whereas plantation crops and vegetables were the most diverse crop ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Armored scale insects (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) are major economic pests and are among the world's most invasive species. Most armoured scale insect pests are invasive and with increased international trade, these concealed and cryptic pests pose a serious threat to the world agricultural economy causing economic losses in the US to be as high as $1 billion annually. Aulacaspis Cockerell is one of the largest genera of armoured scale insects with 151 species known worldwide, and 23 species from India. Five species of Aulacaspis are associated with Cycas spp. throughout the world. Through this correspondence, we report the occurrence and severe infestation of A. maduinensis (Zehntner) on C. circinalis from India, though it has been reported to infest other species of Cycas from elsewhere. We provide information about nature and extent of damage, field and taxonomic diagnostic characters which will be helpful in quick diagnosis of the pest, monitoring its spread to different geographical areas, and generation of awareness about the pest species to avoid further economic loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For many decades, mites are posing threat to agricultural and horticultural industries. Recently mite infestation in Horticultural nurseries has become serious problem in Kerala, India. Purposive sampling surveys were eonducted in the Horticultural nurseries of Thrissur and Ernakulam districts to record the incidence of mite pests on nursery plants. Study of morphologicae characters like setae and aedeagus confirmed the mite species infesting TC bananf plants is Tetranychus gloveri Banks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetranychus gloveri, a recently introduced mite species in Kerala, India has now established in the state as a predominant mite pest on ornamental plants. In this study, the status of acaricide resistance and the activity of detoxification enzymes were investigated in the populations of T. gloveri collected on Adenium plants from six different commercial horticultural nurseries of Thrissur district, Kerala, India. Adulticidal bioassays were performed for fenazaquin and dicofol, while nymphicidal bioassays were conducted for spiromesifen to estimate the LC50. The field populations showed resistance ratios in the range of 1.66–14.38-fold for fenazaquin, 1.06–27.31-fold for spiromesifen and 1.22–3.65-fold for dicofol, compared to the laboratory-maintained reference population. Enzyme assays of detoxifying enzymes revealed enhanced activity of carboxylesterase by 1.03–3.52-fold and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase by 1.01–2.08-fold in the field populations. However, the role of glutathione S-transferase in the development of resistance in different field populations was insignificant. The study recorded the development of resistance in the spider mite, T. gloveri to new generation acaricides spiromesifen and fenazaquin for the first time and also confirmed the significant role of the carboxylesterases and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases in imparting resistance in T. gloveri. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Onomarchus uninotatus (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae), one of the neotropical Pseudophyllinae is recorded on the jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) var. Vietnam Super Early at Thrissur, Kerala, India. This is a new distributional report of the species from Kerala and additional new documentation as a serious pest of jackfruit from India. The nymphs and adults are nocturnal in habit and feed on the leaves resulting in withering and drying of the leaves giving a burned up appearance to the canopy. The species exhibited colour polyphenism with green and brown morphs in the nymphal stages. A detailed description of the nature of damage caused by the pest is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stethorini are specialized mite predators in the family Coccinellidae, which are small with black body and brown or yellow colored appendages. This study aimed to survey species of Stethorini associated with phytophagous mites of South India and their prey range. Results: Eight species of Stethorini, viz., Parastethorus sp. Stethorus (Allostethorus) forficatus, S. (A.) pauperculus, S. (A.) tetranychi, S. (A.) sp., S. keralicus, S. (S.) rani and S. (S.) sp., each associated with distinct species of mite were identified in this study and part of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences of seven of these species are provided. Barcode gap analysis and distance summary analysis in the BOLD system as well as phylogenetic analysis of these seven species were given. Conclusions: This study revealed the species of Stethorini in South India along with their prey range and associated plants. As all the species look similar with black body and yellow appendages, DNA barcodes generated can be used as an effective bio-identification tool for this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) belonging to the Heterorhabditis spp. harbour symbiotically associated bacteria which are toxic to a wide range of insect pests. Isolation, purification, characterization and mass multiplication of such bacteria will be a promising strategy in the management of the pests. This study was carried out to isolate the EPN from different locations, isolate and purify the bacterial colonies, characterize the bacteria through morphological and molecular strategies and to test the efficacy of different bacteria in the control of polyphagous Tetranychus truncatus Ehara mites. Results: EPNs were isolated from soil samples at 11 localities of Kerala State, India, and used to infect the Galleria mellonella L. larvae. Bacteria associated with the haemolymph of the infected larvae were isolated, which on NBTA medium have produced circular to irregular, entire, opaque and smooth colonies. Sequence characterization of the 16S rRNA revealed nine isolates namely: one symbiotic bacterium Photorhabdus luminescens, two Pseudomonas aeruginosa, five Ochrobactrum sp. and one Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Phylogenetic analysis using the sequences has further confirmed the bacterial identity. Evaluation of the cell suspension (CS) and cell-free supernatant (CFS) of P. luminescens, P. aeruginosa and Ochrobactrum sp. for their adulticidal and ovicidal efficiencies on T. truncatus had identified significant adulticidal effects by P. luminescens, followed by P. aeruginosa. After 96 h of treatment, P. luminescens at 108 cells/ml resulted in a significantly higher mortality rate of adult mites (64.00 and 60.67%, respectively, for CFS and CS), compared to that resulted by P. aeruginosa (38.67 and 33.33%). Conclusions: Results of this study showed that P. luminescens associated with the EPN Heterorhabditis spp. is a promising biocontrol agent for T. truncatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixteen isolates of bacteria obtained from the entomopathogenic nematode (Heterorhabditis sp.) infected cadavers of Galleria mellonella larvae were identified following phenotypic characterization and molecular analysis of 16S rRNA. Two isolates were identified as the symbiotic bacterium, Photothabdus luminescens, while 14 other isolates were represented by nine species of nonsymbiotic bacteria viz., Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Alcaligenes aquatilis, Brevundimonas diminuta, Brucella pseudointermedia, Ochrobactrum sp., Brucella pseudogrignonensis, Brucella anthropic, Pseudomonas azatoformans and Pseudomonas lactis. The phylogenetic analysis confirmed the evolutionary relationship between P. luminescens and Pseudomonas spp. The study also found a close relationship among the nonsymbiotic bacteria such as A. aquatilis, B. diminuta, Ochrobactrum sp., and Brucella spp. P. luminescens has been documented for its insecticidal effects against a wide range of insects. The two local isolates obtained in this study may be explored for their biocontrol potential against major pests of the region. Further, the association of nonsymbiotic bacteria with the EPN may be investigated., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

The notoriously destructive and invasive soft scale, Ceroplastes cirripediformis Comstock (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae), is recorded for the first time from India. The scale is redescribed to facilitate its identification and information on its host range, natural enemies and distribution is provided. An identification key to the Indian species in this genus is given. Management options in the event of an outbreak are discussed briefly. The establishment of this scale insect warrants special attention in India as it is a potentially damaging plant pest and has a broad host range across many plant families.