NEW RECORD OF CLUSTER BUG, Agonoscelis nubila FARICIUS (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) ON CASHEW IN TAMIL NADU

摘要

The cluster bug, Agonoscelis nubila Fabricius (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) was recorded for the first time as a minor pest of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) from Tamil Nadu during the survey of entomofauna in cashew ecosystem made during March 2000and April 2006. In India, cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) is reported to be infested by more than 100 species of insect pests in various states (Jena 'et al,f 1987). Sundararaju (1993) updated list of new pests associated on cashew in India. Among several sucking pests attacking cashew crop, pentatomid bugs are rated as minor pests in cashew ecosystem (Rai, 1984). To date, as many as six species of pentatomid bugs viz., Catacanthus incarnates (Drury), Chrysocoris purpurea (Westwood), Dalpoda sp., Erthesina fullo (Thunberg), Nezara viridula (Linnaeus) and Plautia crossotta (Dallas) have been reported as pests from cashew growing belts in India (Rai, 1984; Sundararaju, 1984; Ayyanna and Ramadevi, 1987; AICRP, 2003). The present paper reports on the occurrence of a new species of pentatomid bug, Agonosocelis nubila Fabricius (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) christened as 'Cluster Bug' on cashew from Tamil Nadu.