Inventory of lepidopteran pests infesting cultivated crops in Tripura, N.E. India

This paper presents an inventory of 140 species of Lepidopteran pests belonging to 25 families associated with cultivated crops in Tripura, N.E. India. Out of total 140 Lepidopteran pests 16 pests are major, 14 pests are moderate and 110 pests are of minor category on the basis of extent of injury inflicted by them. Maximum number of Lepidopteran pests have been recorded in Pigeonpea (28 nos.) followed by Rice (18 nos.), Mango (12 nos.), Rose and Castor (11 nos. in each), Okra (9 nos.). Agrotis sp. and Phthorimaea operculella on potato, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis and Scirpophaga incertulas on rice, Conopomorpha cramerella on litchi, Earias vittella, Haritalodes derogata on okra, Helicoverpa armigera on okra, chick pea and tomato, Hellula undalis, Plutella xylostella and Spodoptera litura on crucifers, Leucinodes orbonalis on brinjal, Maruca vitrata on pigeonpea, Phyllocnistis citrella on citrus, Spodoptera frugiperda on maize, Spoladea recurvalis on amaranthus are of regular occurrence and have been recorded as the major pests which may collectively have a massive economical impact on the farmers. Achaea janata on castor, Anomis sabulifera on jute, Antigastra catalaunalis on sesame, Chilo infuscatellus, Chilo sacchariphagus on sugarcane, Diaphania indica on cucurbits, Etanna breviuscula on pigeon pea, and Parapoynx stagnalis on rice have been recorded to occur regularly causing moderate damage whereas, Anticarsia irrorata, Anticarsia c.f. rubricans on cowpea, Euproctis subfasciata on rose, Spilarctia obliqua on jute, sunflower, calendula, and Cricula trifenestrata and Chlumetia transversa on mango have been recorded to cause moderate damage sporadically.