The Rugose Spiralling Whitefly (RSWF) (Aleurodicus rugioperculatus) was noticed in a severe form in coconut palms in Pollachi, Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu, India during August- September, 2016. This pest usually does not kill the plant, but it may interfere with the normal growth of the palm. The infestation of RSWF was high in dwarf and hybrids and very low in tall varieties. The adult longevity was 20.5 days. Integrated Pest Management strategies play key role in managing this pest. The Aphilinid parasitoid, E. guadeloupae plays a major role in controlling RSWF apart from several other predators.
M. Alagar*
Dept. of Horticulture, Coconut Research Station, Aliyarnagar, Tamil Nadu (642 101), India
V. Sivakumar
S. Chinnaduari
P. A. Saravanan
Dept. of Agricultural Entomology, TNAU, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (641 003), India
T. Srinivasan
Dept. of Millets, TNAU, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (641 003), India
S. Praneetha
Alagar, M., Sivakumar, V., Chinnaduari, S., Saravanan, P.A., Srinivasan, T., Praneetha, S., 2020. Bio Intensive Management of Invasive Rugose Spiralling Whitefly in Coconut. Biotica Research Today 2(8), 768-771.
Srinivasan T, Saravanan PA, Josephrajkumar A, Rajamanickam K, Sridharan S, David PM M, et al. Invasive of the rugose spiralling whitefly Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera:Aleyrodidae) in Pollachi tract of Tamil Nadu, India. The Madras Agricultural Journal. 2016; 103(10-12): 349-353.
Stocks IC. Rugose spiralling whitefly host plants. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Servcies, Division of Plant Industry. 2012. p.6.http:// monroe.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/Hort/Rsw_Host_Plants_ May_2012.pdf.
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