Department of Agricultural Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore -641 003, Tamil Nadu, India
This study was undertaken in ten diverse jasmine growing districts of Tamil Nadu to assess the infestation of gallery worm in jasmine and the bioecology of the pest was also studied. The results revealed the terminal webbing of jasmine leaves, shoot, flower and buds by the pest in a silken web with considerable excreta in the web, reducing the flower quality. Moreover, the larvae were found feeding on the flowers which indeed is a threat, as flowers are the economic part of jasmine. A higher percentage of infestation was recorded in Coimbatore and Madurai district among the ten districts investigated. The bioecology studies revealed a shorter lifespan of 25.3 days for males and 26.6 days for females with a high fecundity of 54.5 eggs.
Bioecology, Galleryworm, Infestation, Jasmine, Tamil Nadu
