Biology of Acanthocoris scabrator Fabr., a pest of mango.
Koshy G., Visalakshy A., Nair M. R. G. K.
Author Affiliation: Division of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, India.
Entomon 2 : 145-147
Abstract : Acanthocoris scabrator (F.) was observed damaging mango at Trivandrum, Kerala, India, and since it was not previously known as a pest of mango, its bionomics were observed in the laboratory. Adults were collected from Ipomoea carnea in the mango orchard and were reared on this plant. Pairing occurred 2-4 days after adult emergence and oviposition began 7-9 days after adult emergence. The eggs were laid in batches of 18-20 on the lower surface of the leaves, females laying 50-60 eggs each. The egg stage lasted 7-8 days in September-October. There were 5 nymphal instars and the nymphs fed on the leaves. The adult bugs, which lived for 3-4 months, sucked the juice from unripe mango fruits, which were subsequently invaded by secondary pathogens through the feeding punctures and rotted. On Ipomoea, both nymphs and adults fed on the vines, causing wilting.