On a collection of (Insects, Acari) some insects and mites from medicinal plants of Ramakrishna mission, Narendrapur (India: West Bengal, Dist south 24 Paraganas)

Abstract

A total 37 species of mites (under 22 genera, 9 family and 2 orders) and 17 species of insects (under 14 genera,11 family and 3 orders) has been recorded from 99 medicinal plants grown in three medicinal plant gardens of Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Narendrapur, collected during November 2021 - July 2022. Out of 37 species of mites, 23 species belonged to phytophagous group and 13 species predatory groups respectively. Among the phytophagous and predatory mites, Brevipalpus phoenicis, Petrobia harti, Steneotarsonemus spinki and Aceria guerreronis were found to be serious pests causing damage to their respective host plants, while Gynaneseius eharai, Amblyseius largoensis and Euseius finlandicus were found to be promising predatory mites feeding mostly upon Tetranychidae and Eriophyidae pest mites. In case of insects, 16 species was recorded as phytophagous and only 1 species (Scolothrips sexmaculatus) was predatory in nature. Among the phytophagous insects 3 species. Aphis nerii, Aspidiotus destructor, Kola vesta found to occur abundantly on the medicinal plants, causing serious damage symptoms to their respective host plants. The present study also recorded 25 mite species and 10 insect species shows new host records.