Pantnagar Journal of Research

Abstract

Spondias pinnata (family: Anacardiaceae), known as Indian hog-plum, is a species of popular minor fruit tree of Assam with edible sour fruits among the underutilized fruit crops. It is medicinally important and the fruit is a valuable source of vitamin C. The tree is severely damaged by a coleopteran leaf feeder known as Podontia quatuordecimpunctata (family: Chrysomelidae). The pest is widely distributed in Assam, West Bengal, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Uttar Pradesh. The pest was appeared in May, 2019 as a serious defoliator of Spondias pinnata and first record in Southern part of Kamrup district of Assam. Mating took place 3-7 days of emergence and copulation took place in the early hours of morning. Eggs were laid in cluster of 20-50 and arranged in circular manner. Egg clusters were also noticed in non-host plant like Murraya koenigii but did not feed. Incubation period was 5-8 days and hatching took place in day and night. The newly hatched grub fed gregariously for 2-3 days. The grub retained its feces directly on the dorsum. The larval (grub) period was 12-16 days and had four instars. Pupation took place in soil. The adult beetle was 1.8-2.0 cm long. The pest appeared during onset of rainy season (May) with a peak in Jun/Jul and disappeared in Nov/Dec. The leaf defoliation was caused by the grub and adult beetle.