Current Status of Coconut Rugose Spiralling Whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Karnataka

An invasive rugose spiraling whitefly (RSW) Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), which was first time reported on coconut palm in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu in 2016, was found infesting several plantation crops like coconut, banana, Indian almond and several ornamental plants in southern states of India. The pest was identified through their morphological characters and through molecular characterization. PCR amplification of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase-I gene (658 bp) of RSW from five different locations were sequenced (GenBank accession number MK883218, MK883219, MK883220, MK926750, MK926751) for identification. During the study, 20 host plants were recorded and several natural enemies were found associated with the pest. Encarsia guadeloupae Viggiani (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) was the major parasitoid associated with the pest. Natural parasitism by the parasitoid ranges from 7 to 80% across different agroclimatic zones of Karnataka. Other natural enemies like Encarsia dispersa, chrysopids and coccinellids were also recorded feeding on RSW.