Study on the biodiversity of insects in apple in mid hills of Meghalaya

Abstract

North-Eastern hills region of India is very rich in fertile soil, biodiversity and conducive agro-climatic conditions that make them ideal for the production of horticultural crops. The present investigation was carried out to study the biodiversity of insects in apple in mid hills of Meghalaya during the year, 2018. Based on taxonomic classification, the insect species were placed into 7 different orders viz. Coleoptera (17), Hemiptera (11), Lepidoptera (6), Diptera (4), Hymenoptera (3), Dermeptera (1) and Orthoptera (1). Major insect pests recorded were Green apple aphid, Pale tussock moth, Tussock caterpillar, Giant looper and Cocoa tussock caterpillar and remaining 21 species as minor insect pests. Natural enemies observed were Parasitic braconid wasp, pupal parasitoid, Tachnid fly, Syrphid fly (maggots), Assassin bug, Earwig and four different species of Coccinellid beetles. Honey bees and Hoverfly visited as pollinators on few apple flowering plants. Also five insect species viz. Litchi trunk borer, Aquatic fire fly, Indian fire fly, Rice earhead bug and Melon fruit fly were found to be occasional visitors on apple plants. The findings obtained during the course of study will be helpful in understanding the biodiversity of insect fauna associated with apple plants and therefore having implications for taxonomy and pest management in apple particularly for this region.