Unveiling the Insect Spectrum of Carrot (Daucus carota L.) in Eastern Dry Zone of Karnataka

The study investigates the insect fauna associated with carrot crops in the Eastern Dry Zone of Karnataka, India. Roving surveys conducted across Kolar, Chikkaballapur and Bengaluru Rural districts resulted in documenting a total of 39 insect species across four orders and 12 families, where Hemiptera order being the most diverse and order Diptera being most abundant. Major pests identified include leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii, carrot fly, Melanagromyza sp., mirid bug, Taylorilygus apicalis, Lygaeid bug, Nysius sp., leafhoppers, Balclutha spp. and Hishimonus phycitis which cause substantial damage on carrots. All these insects are being newly recorded on carrot in India. Liriomyza trifolii and Melanagromyza sp. were the most economically significant pests causing 42.33% damage to foliage and 20.77% to taproots respectively. Species diversity indices revealed Kolar as the most diverse district, followed by Bengaluru Rural and Chikkaballapur.