Occurrence of mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley on transgenic cotton in Marathwada region of Maharashtra

摘要

Survey conducted during 2008-2009 to 2011-2012 showed that Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley was the predominant mealybug species found in Marathwada region of Maharashtra State. The mealybug infestation was observed in grade I (1 to 10 mealybugs scattered on plant) in all the farmer fields surveyed with few exceptions. Scattered infestation of mealybugs was also recorded in other host plants namely Parthenium, fig, pomegranate, marigold, soybean and Hibiscus. The highest (33.18%) percentage of infestedplants was recorded in the village Markand and lowest (6.67%) in Ardhapur of Nanded district during 2008-2009 and 2009-2010, respectively. The maximum intensity (1.12) of mealybug infestation was recorded in the villages Sonkhed and Dabhad of Nanded district during 2011-2012. The maximum number of plants in grade IV (whole plant infested) were observed during 2011-2012. So, mealybug, P. solenopsis is the emerging pest on Bt cotton in the region.