Host range and feeding preference of Basilepta fulvicornis (Jacoby) adult beetles in the Cardamom Hill Reserves, Kerala, India.

Host range and feeding behavior of Basilepta fulvicornis (Jacoby) adult beetles were studied on different plant species (25 species from 18 genera and 13 families) in the Cardamom Hill Reserves, Kerala, India. Five new host plants of B. fulvicornis adult beetles, viz., Artocarpus hirsutus Lam., Ficus auriculata Lour., Anacardium occidentale L., Spondias mangifera Willd., and Terminalia chebula Retz., are reported for the first time. Non-preference and non-feeding of B. fulvicornis adults on the larval host, Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton was confirmed. Based on the feeding area, A. hirstus, F. auriculata, Mangifera indica and Artocarpus heterophyllus are the most preferred host species followed by Terminalia catappa, A. occidentale, S. mangifera, and T. chebula. Feeding preference and survival of adult beetles of B. fulvicornis on different tree species are indicated with a probable ecofriendly pest management solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]