Cytopathological and haematological changes in Odoiporus longicollis [olivier] grub by Aattinkombu and Thenkaali, the two pest resistant Musa cultivars identified in Kerala

Odoiporus longicollis a monophagous and most serious pest of banana and plantains which completes the whole life cycle within the pseudostem is a major threat to the Musa cultivation. Field study has revealed that commercially viable cultivars such as Kappa (Red banana), Palayankodan and Nendran are the most susceptible cultivars and Kadali, Aattinkombu, Thenkaali and Kannan are pest resistant cultivars. rearing of O. longicollis larvae on pest resistant cultivars has resulted in mortality as evidenced by hyperproteinemia of hemolymph and total hemocytopenia together with selective increase in the population of granulocytes in larvae. Various cytopathological changes such as distortion of cell shape, denucleation, abnormal staining and rupture of cell membrane were observed in hemocytes of reared larvae. Pest resistant cultivars are very rare and can be seen as lone clones at house premises only and they need conservation. transfer of pest resistance from resistant clones to susceptible clones and development of host plant resistance against this pest is the most effective and sustainable way to control this pest.