1Department of Statistics, BN College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, Biswanath784176, Assam, India
2Department of Horticulture, BN College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, Biswanath784176, Assam, India
Department of Entomology, BN College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, Biswanath784176, Assam, India
*Email: arup.sarma@aau.ac.in (corresponding author)
Online Published on 08 February, 2023.
Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin has invaded NER India in 2018 and established already in many districts of lower Assam and is alarmingly spreading to new districts owing to the inadequate domestic quarantine. The pest has been detected for the first time in Biswanath district of Lower Brahmaputra Valley Zone of Assam in May, 2019. Variation in speed of invasion has been noticed in different zones depending on the mode of dispersal of the pest. Rainfall had no impact on short-distance dispersal of the pest. However, rainfall-deficient months of 2018 and low rainfall days of 2019 had some impact on its arrival and establishment. The pest is likely to affect the coconut economy in future. Extensive survey in the NER India for assessing crop loss due to the invasion and enforcement of strict domestic quarantine in inter-state borders are the urgent need of the hour.
Rugose spiraling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus, Rainfall, Invasion, Quarantine, Coconut, NER, Assam
