Occurrence of indigenously restricted fruit borer, Citripestis eutraphera on mango in Punjab, and its damage potential

Abstract

Roving and fixed plot surveys were carried out in the mango orchards of Punjab, India to record the emerging insect pests. During these surveys, an indigenously restricted mango fruit borer, Citripestis eutraphera (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) was observed for the first time in Punjab, infesting fruits of variety ‘Dusehri’ during 2015 to 2019 during the months of April to June, at College Orchard, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana; University Seed Farm (USF), Ladhowal, district Ludhiana and Government Garden and Fruit Nursery, Bhunga, district Hoshiarpur. Infestation level ranging from 2.5 to 10.8 per cent to the fruits, starting from marble stage to maturity stage size, was observed during different years at all these locations. The black caterpillars were mostly found feeding between the jointed fruits. The caterpillars were also observed inflicting damage to the twigs during May 2019 at PAU, Ludhiana. Continuous monitoring and integrated management of this newly found borer needs attention so that the borer may not spread to other fruit crops in Punjab and other states.