Regional Agriculture Research Sub Station Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Science & Technology-Kashmir, Kargil - 194 103, J&K, India
A study was carried out from 2003 to 2005 in cold arid region, Ladakh of Jammu & Kashmir to find out different insect pests causing damage to forest plantations particularly to poplar and willow. It was found that gypsy moth (Lymantria spp), Willow scale (Chionaspis salicis L.), Tent caterpillar (Malacosoma spp), willow leaf beetle (Altica spp.), goat moth (Cossus cossus L.), ermine moth (Yponomeuta rorellus Hubner), poplar petiole gall insect (Pemphigus spp.), willow apple gall (Pontania spp.) were major pest species found causing damage to poplar and willow. More than 60 per cent willow plantations were found to be infested with scale insect in Leh district, while willow apple gall inducer was found causing severe damage in Zanskar block of Kargil district and, Nubra and Khaltsi block of Leh district.
