Some mites and insects occurring on medicinal plants from medicinal plant gardens located in and around Kalyani, West Bengal

Abstract

The present paper reports the occurrence of 22 species of mites belonging to 16 genera, 7 families and 3 orders as well as 11 species of insects under as many genera, 7 families and 3 orders, collected from medicinal plants from different medicinal plant gardens located in and around Kalyani during September 2021 to April 2022. Altogether 10 species of mites under 6 genera, 3 families belong to phytophagous group, 10 species of mites under 7 genera and 2 families belong to predatory group and 3 species of mites under as many genera and families belong to fungal feeding group. Out of these mite species, 2 species (Eotetranychus indicus and Oligonychus indicus) were found highly injurious causing damage to their respective host plants while 2 species, viz. Neoseiuslus longispinosus on Tetranychus neocaledonicus and Paraphytoseius orientalis on Polyphagotarsonemus latus were found as potential predators helping in biological control. Among the 11 species of insects, Aphis craccivora on Mentha arvensis, Aphis gossypii, Aphis nerii, both on Calotropis procera and Monanthia globulifera on Ocimum sanctum were important pests doing noteworthy damage on their respective host plants. All the species are listed with their hosts/habitat records, collection data and importance as pests/predators, if any.