Journal of Entomological Research
SCOPUSWeb of Science
  • Year: 2022
  • Volume: 46
  • Issue: 3

Mapping potential geographical distribution of Acria meyricki (Lepidoptera: Depressariidae), an emerging oil palm defoliator in India

1ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Regional Station, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad - 500 030, Telangana, India

2Horticultural Research Station, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, Adilabad - 504 001, Telangana, India

ICAR-Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research, Pedavegi - 534 450, Andhra Pradesh, India

*Corresponding author's E-mail: laxmansaravanars@gmail.com

Online Published on 11 October, 2022.

Abstract

Ecological niche modelling study was attempted to identify climate suitable locations for Acria meyricki Shashank and Ramamurthy spread in India as area under oil palm cultivation is expanding. Geographical coordinates of 31 pest presence sites, world climate grid files, nineteen bioclimatic variables, MaxEnt software, DIVA-GIS were used for the construction of ecological niche model of A. meyricki. The model indicated potential geographical locations (districts) in six states viz., Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu for the spread of pest in India. The predictions of potential distribution of the pest arrived at in this study should help in developing strategies for monitoring and managing this defoliator of oil palm.

Keywords

Acria meyricki, DIVA-GIS, India, Leaf webworm, MaxEnt model, Oil palm