Report on Crioceris sp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Infestation and Damage to Medicinal Plant Asparagus racemosus (Liliopsida: Asparagaceae) in New Delhi, India
M. N. Rudra Gouda
Division of Entomology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi- 110012, India.
Yogananda M
Division of Vegetable Sciences, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India.
Ashwini L.M.B.
Division of Genetics and Plant Breeding, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, 580005, India.
Avneesh Banswal
Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture Forestry, Nauni, Himachal Pradesh, 173230, india.
Srijana Pradhan
Division of Floriculture, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India.
Mudagadde G. Deeksha
*
ICAR-Directorate of Weed Research (DWR), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, 482004, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study reports a species of Crioceris infesting Asparagus racemosus Willd. The adults exhibit sexual dimorphism, with black males and yellowish-brown females bearing a distinct black spot on their elytra. Morphological and molecular analyses indicate a close relationship (95% genetic identity) with the Crioceris genus. Life cycle aspects, including hibernation during winter, spring emergence for mating and egg-laying, and polygynandrous mating behaviour, have been observed. Significant damage caused by Crioceris sp. to A. racemosus, including broken cladophylls, notched leaves, and defoliation, hindering plant growth, is reported.
Keywords: Asparagus racemosus, Crioceris, chrysomelidae, first report, polygynandrous, coleoptera, pest, damage, sexual dimorphism, lifecycle