BIODIVERSITY AND IDENTIFICATION OF POTATO WHITE GRUBS IN HIGH HILLS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

Abstract

The most challenging insect-pests of the potato crop in Himachal Pradesh are white grubs. Their diversity
tends to fluctuate, depending on altitude, geography, ecosystems, and other environmental variables. The survey on white
grubs of potato was carried out in 19 locations from five districts of Himachal Pradesh during 2021-22. The altitude of
these locations varied from 1378-3279m amsl. In total, 13 species of white grubs were collected feeding on roots and tubers
of potato crop. Out of 13 species, 8 species have been identified as Brahmina crinicollis Burmeister, Brahmina coriacea
(Hope), Brahmina flavosericea Brenske, Holotrichia longipennis Blanchard, Anomala rufiventris Redtenbacher, Melolontha
furcicauda Ancey, Melolantha cuprescens Blanchard and Polyphylla sikkimensis Brenseke. We couldn’t rear four species till
adult emergence and hence this species remained unidentified. The raster patterns of all 13 species have been described
with suitable pictures.