Studies on Infestation Pattern of a Major Stem Boring Pest, Psiloptera Fastuosa (Buprestidae : Coleoptera) to Tasar Plantation, Terminalia Arjuna (Myrtales: Combretaceae) for Controlling the Pest

Tasar silk culture is a significant cash crop in the tropics. Tasar farms are extensively planted with Arjun plants (Terminalia arjuna) (Combretaceae) because their leaves are the main food for Tasar silkworms. The metallic green stem-boring beetle, Psiloptera fastuosa (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), poses a severe threat to tasar plantations. Female P. fastuosa lays eggs on Arjun bark, and after hatching, the grubs penetrate the stem, grow and develop into pupae, metamorphose into adults, and ultimately emerge through emergence holes. The grub promotes plant wilting and death by creating extensive galleries in the stem. Even though the Psiloptera beetle-induced endemicity is highly lethal, no management practices have been developed to secure the Arjun plantations from this pest attack. Furthermore, a lack of awareness of pest infestations complicates keeping the plants safe.This research aims to determine the extent of P. fastuosa infestation on T. arjuna plants. Our primary research interests are in the seasonal variations of P. fastuosa pest attacks on its primary hosts and the kind and frequency of infestations on the hosts in a given cultivated area. We also sought to examine if the age and size of the host plant affected the pest infestation. The level of pest infestation was also aimed at being analyzed based on emergence holes and gallery forms. Arjun plants that were 4–8 years old and up to half their length from the ground were observed to be the most vulnerable to P. fastuosa attacks. Apart from branches, the main trunks of the plants were noted to be the most seriously attacked. Furthermore, plants 4-8 years old were found to be more wilted than younger or older plants. Insecticidal administrations could be done over the winter towards the middle of the central trunk of 4–8-year-old T. arjuna plants. The present information will be helpful in the management and propagation of Arjun plantations for tropical tasar cultivation