First report of fig leaf roller, Phycodes raidata Ochsenheimer on weeping fig in Gujarat

Abstract

A heavy incidence of fig leaf roller (Phycodes radiata Ochsenheimer) was observed on an ornamental shrub, weeping fig (Ficus benjamina L.) in Jabugam village of Bodeli taluka of Chhotaudepur district in Gujarat very first time. A survey was conducted in all six talukas of Chhotaudepur district in middle Gujarat during August-September 2020. The larval incidence of fig leaf roller per 10 shrubs of weeping fig was recorded during a survey. The larvae cause rolling of leaves and feed remaining inside by scrapping green matter leaving leaves as papery tissue which eventually get dried up. The highest (16.4 larvae/10 shrubs) was recorded from Bodeli taluka whereas, Naswadi was recorded with the lowest (3.4 larvae/10 shrubs) larval incidence.