Ash Weevil Myllocerus subfasciatus Guerin-Meneville (Coleoptera; Curculionidae) – An Emerging Threat to Brinjal Cultivation

Abstract

Brinjal is one of the predominant vegetable crops grown in India. The biotic factors viz., shoot and fruit borer Leucinodes orbonalis Guen; jassid Amrasca biguttula biguttula (Ishida), whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Genn.), aphid Aphis gossypii Clover are major yield constraints in brinjal cultivation. In addition to the above the infestation of ash weevil Myllocerus subfasciatus causes major yield loss. Under favourable conditions it has the potential to cause 100% yield loss. The adult beetle notches the leaf margins and resulting in wilting of plants in patches. The grubs feed on the roots and causes drying of plants. As the damage occurs mostly during flowering and fruit initiation period the loss will be severe. The egg, larva and pupal periods last for about 3-11, 3-42 and 5-7 days respectively. Grubs being subterranean need timely intervention for effective management. Application of oiled neem cake, entomopathogenic nematode, insecticide application are some of strategies used for the management of ash weevil in brinjal.