Host plants of the home invading nuisance pest, Mupli beetle, Luprops tristis (Fabricius, 1801) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in agribelts of South India

Abstract

Presence of home invading nuisance pest Luprops tristis (Fabricius, 1801) in nonrubber belts and its generalist feeding behavior lead to assessment of its feeding preference on the leaves of common litter contributing plants in agribelts in south India. Bioassays with leaves of 17 plants namely, cashew, cassia, cocoa, flowering murdah golden flame tree, Indian-beech, Indian kino, jackfruit, macaranga, mahogany, mango, mexican lilac, raintree, rubber, tamarind, teak and wild jack were carried out. General bias towards tender leaves of most plants was distinct. Based on Leaf age related variation in feeding rates, host plant were categorised as tender leaf preferred, both tender and senescent leaves preferred and senescent leaf preferred. Based on leaf consumption rates, host plants were broadly categorized as most preferred, moderately preferred, low preferred and least preferred, and its implications are discussed. Aggressive feeding on leaves of many plants abundant in non-rubber agriculture belts necessitates their monitoring in the litter stands of the cited plants in non-rubber belts for preventing its establishment as uncontrollable nuisance pest across south India.