Seasonal abundance and damage potential of major defoliators infesting Coccinia, Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt. in Kerala

A survey was undertaken to record the defoliators of coccinia (Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt.) and their damage potential and to assess their seasonal occurrence in Thiruvananthapuram district during July 2006 and June 2007. The coleopteran pests viz., Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata F., Aulacophora spp. and the lepidopteran pest viz., Diaphania indica Saunder were the important defoliators recorded from various locations. Occurrence of H. vigintioctopuntata, A. impressa and A. bicolor on coccinia is being reported for the first time. They were observed in all the location throughout the year. Location wise and seasonal variations were also noticed in the population and extent of damage of these pests. The population of D. indica increased and reached maximum in the month of June 2007.