A First report of a Chrysomelid beetle infesting on indigenous orchid, Eulophia andamanensis Reichb.f. in Bay Islands.

摘要

Andaman and Nicobar islands the 'hotspots' of biodiversity are virtually a paradise for tropical orchids. Orchids are mysterious in many ways and the incredible shapes and colour of their flowers records their position as "Botanical Jewels". A total of 152 wild indigenous species of orchids from 58 genera have been reported from Andaman and Nicobar Islands owing to its favourable tropical warm and humid climate (Pandey and Diwakar, 2008). There is a wide range of variation in habitat and distributionof orchids in the Island ecosystem. So far, no endemic genus of orchid is reported from this Island, but 30 species are found to be endemic. Among the endemic orchid species, Eulophia andamanensis Reichb.f. is an important tropical terrestrial orchid ofAndaman Islands with brilliant colored light green flowers. It is known for its potential as export commodity owing to its good quality and other features like long spike and many green florets. It is having national as well as international market value as cut flower and potted plant. Eulophia is a widespread genus of terrestrial orchid belonging to subfamily Vandoideae, tribe Cymbidieae and subtribe Cyrtopodiinae with sub terrestrial tubers and distinct pseudobulb. Botanically flowers are of medium size fully open and spread out, displaying the pretty lip. Sepals and petals are similar and sub equal, the dorsal sepal and petals are broader, the lateral sepals are often fused at base with the column and the base of the lip may also be fused. Lip is distinctive, usually 3 -lobed, with two side lobes are erect and clasping the column, broad mid-lobe is out-thrust, spreading,entire or again bi-lobed, the upper surface of the disc is variously crested, ridged or lamellated or rarely smooth. At base the lip has a small sac or a short spur. Column is stout, often with two lateral flaps. Florets are borne on long spike of 120-150 cm and last for 49 days with two two four spikes per plant and 29-49 number of florets per spike. The flowering time is November to February and flowers last for about seven weeks. Eulophia andamanensis Reichb.f is known for longest spike length and it has been recorded in Limca book of records in the year 2013 (Anonymous, 2013).