Some Published Research Notes on Medicinal Herbs and Insects of Chhattisgarh India

Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia
© 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved

In Chhattisgarh, metallic coloured Tortoise beetle Aspidomorpha miliaris F. (Coleoptera : Chrysomelidae) is a problematic pest of Ipomoea aquatica (popularly known as Karmatta Bhaji) grown for vegetable. In the present study, toxic effects of 20 plant species on Aspidomorpha were studied. Fresh leaves of the plants (Table 1) were collected randomly from fields and allowed to decay in distilled water 1:10 w/v of plant material and water, respectively. After 24 hours, extraction was done and extracts were sprayed on lpomoea aquatica leaves. Five field collected beetles, starved on water for 24 hours, were released into the cage. Beetles were allowed to feed on the leaves for 5 days. At the end of 5th day percentage mortality was recorded. The treatments were replicated thrice and the experiment was repeated twice. In control (no spray) 0% mortality was noted and on the basis of this percentage mortality was calculated. Different leaf extracts produced significant toxic effects on Aspidomorpha. Maximum mortality (45.8%) was noted under Sida lead extract that was at par with mortality produced by Parthenium, Melia and Cassia leaf extracts. (Originally Published in : Insect Environment, Vol. 5(4), January - March 2000 Page - 165 )

New Record of the Leaf Beetle on a weed During rabi season 1993-94 and 1994-95 leaf beetle Chrysoiina sp. Nr. Madrasae Jackoby (Chrysomelidae : Coleoptera) caused 60 to 90 percent plant damage to the road side growing weed, Blumea lacera

Table : Effects of leaf extracts on Tortoise beetle
	Plant Extract	Mortality (%)
	1. Parthenium hysterophorus (w)	37.4
	2. Lantana camara (w)	12.3
	3. Calortropis gigantea (w)	8.3
	4. Datura stamonium (w)	0
	5. Melia azedarach(o)	37.4
	6. Cassia tora(w)	37.4
	7. Acalypha hispida(o)	33.3
	8. Sida acuta(w)	45.8
	9. Croton sparsiflorus(w)	0
	10. Tephrosia purpurea (w)	18.3
	11. Achyranthes aspera (w)	0
	12. Bougainvillea glabra(o)	5
	13. Juncea ashoka (o)	13.3
	14. Thevetia nerifolia(o)	9.1
	15. Euphorbia hirta (w)	4.1
	16. Calliandra haematocephala (o)	22.4
	17. Jasminum sambac (o)	13.3
	18. Cynodon dactylon (w)	9.1
	19. Polyanthus tuberose (o)	12.4
	20. Psidium guajava (f)	9.1
	LSD (0.05)	12.4
	Note w-Weeds, o-Omanmental, f - Fruit trees

DC. (Fam. Asteraceae) locally known as 'Kukronda'. The quantum of defoliation by the beetle ranged from 50 to 70 percent in the observed wasteland and upland fields. The weed is found growing 9 to 11 per M2 in the wasteland and in upland fields the weed population ranged from 3 to 7 per m2, competing with the 'rabi' crops. However, percent reduction in yield due to weed crop competition and boosting in crop yield due to weed defoliation by beetle has not been estimated. The leaf beetle occur wherever its host plant (Blumea lacera) grows in different situations. They are active during night time and they remain hidden in the soil near plants at the depth of 2 to 3 cm during day time. Both the adults and grubs feed voraciously on the foliage leaving behind only the midrib of the leaves. Heavy feeding causes mortality of weeds. The beetle population varied from 4 to 10 grub and adults/plant. The beetles are active during October to March although they are found up to middle of April based on the availability of the host. The weed is available if intermittent rains occur during this period. Humid weather condition favours the faster development of the beetle, while the activity is retarded at temperatures below 10 C. On the basis of the review of literature it appears that there is no record of this defoliating beetle from India. Feeding on the weed, 'Kukronda', Blumea lacera. However, from U.S.A. Huffaker (1964) reported about the destruction of St. John's worts, Hypericum perforatum L. by another species, the Chrysolina quadrigemina. He reported that the weed may die quickly or die during another season of the year. The other species of the beetle, Chrysolina fasruosa Scop. Was found feeding on the road side weeds like Stinging nettle, Urtica Dioica L. and Hemp nettle in Europe (Zahradnik and Chvala, 1989). Therefore, it appears to be the first record of the leaf beetle, Chrysolina sp. Nr. Madrasae Jackoby on Blumea lacera. Preliminary feeding tests, on the species under report were conducted on the crops like Wheat, Mustard, Berseem, Spinach, Amaranthus and weed like Parthenium hysterophorus L., Sphaeranthus indicus L. and Vicia sativa L. showed negative response of the beetles to above hosts. References Huffaker, C. B. 1964, Fundamentals of Biological Weed Control In : Bicological Control on Insect Pests and Weeds, P. Debach (ed) roinhold Publ. Co. New York, 638 p.

Zahradnik, J. And Chvala, M., 1989, Record of Chrysolina fustuosa Scop. (Chrysomelidae : Coleoptera). In Comprehensive Illustrated Guide to Insects of Britain and Europe by Paul Whalley (ed) Hamlyn Publishing Group 368 p.

(Originally Published in : Curr. Res. 25 : 218, 1996)

Record of Orange Banded Blister Beetle Zonabris pustulata Thunb. (Coleoptera : Meloidae) on Safed Moosli (Chlorophytum borivilianum L. )

Safed Moosli (Family : Liliaceae) is one of the important medicinal crops of India. In Indian systems of medicine Safed Moosli holds a reputed position. It is widely used as natural sex tonic. In Chhattisgarh, its commercial cultivation started in 1999-2000. In Safed Moosli, as commercial crop no major infestation have been reported in India and abroad. A survey was conducted in Safed Moosli fields of different districts of Chhattisgarh. From each field, 100 plants were selected randomly and percentage infestation was noted. In Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh, heavy infestation (80%) of Orange banded blister beetle Zonabris pustulata Thunb. Was noted. This is the first record of this beetle on Safed Moosli. Average 3-4 beetles/plant have been observed. Serious infestation of this beetle on more than 32 plants of Chhattisgarh region including Ipomoea, Datura, Lantana and Hibiscus have been observed. These beetles were found eating the flowers of Safed Moosli. For commercial breeding programme formation of seeds in an essential process, thus these beetles are causing serious damage. In farmer's fields where Safed Moosli is propagated from fleshy roots, beetles are not a problem.

(Originally Published in : Insect Environment, Vol. 6(3), October

- December 2000 Page -138)