A preliminary study of Mites and Insects occurring on plants used as Ethnomedicines collected from different medicinal plant gardens of Narendrapur Campus Ramakrishna Mission (South 24 Parganas, West Bengal)

Abstract

The present study was conducted at Narendrapur Campus of Ramakrishna Mission during September 2021 to April 2022 for occurrence of Mites and Insects on plants used for ethnomedicinal purpose. The identification of the mites and insects reveals the occurrence of 20 spp. of mites belonging to 15 genera, 8 families and 3 orders as well as 11 species of insects under 11 genera, 9 families and 3 orders. Out of the collected mite species, 11 species belonging to 9 genera and 4 families are phytophagous in nature, 7 species belonging to 5 genera and 2 families are predatory in nature and 2 species which are fungal associates. In case of insects, all belong to phytophagous group. Among the mites only 3 species, viz. Panonychus citri, Polyphagotarsonemus latus and Tetranychus ludeni on Carica papaya, Ocimum tenuiflorum and Calotropis gigantea, respectively, were found abundantly, causing chlorosis of leaves. The occurrence of other mites and insects are only casual. In addition, a Host-Mites/Insects Table is also appended.