New record of rugose Spiraling Whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on different host plants in India and Gujarat

Abstract

First record of occurrence and infestation of Rugose spiraling whitefly (RSW), Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on coconut was recently reported from the villages of Mangrol and Veraval in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat state. However, during the survey, this invasive pest is also first time observed on Sapota, Mango, Banana, Custard Apple, Guava, Curry tree, Papaya, White wax jambu, Indian Almond, Sorghum and Groundnut in Gujarat state. Among these hosts, the RSW is recorded firstly on Custard Apple, Curry tree, Sorghum and Groundnut in India. The population of RSW was observed severely on both the leaves and fruits of all the hosts. The samples of nymphs and adults of RSW were collected from all the infested hosts and brought to the Biocontrol Research Laboratory, Department of Entomology, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh for further identification. On the basis of spiral pattern of egg laying, morphology and molecular identification, the pest confirmed as Rugose Spiraling Whitefly (RSW), Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin. This is the first confirmed report of this pest on four hostsin India and eight hosts in Gujarat state.