Akshaja Suresh
Identity, morphology and natural history of lema species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Criocerinae) infesting orchids (Asparagales: Orchidaceae) in India. - Vellayani Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture 2021 - 56p.
M Sc
The present study entitled “Identity, morphology and natural history of Lema species
(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Criocerinae) infesting orchids (Asparagales:
Orchidaceae) in India” was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani from
2019-2021 to ascertain identity of the Lema species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae:
Criocerinae) infesting orchids in India and describe them; and study the immature
stages as well as lifecycle of Lema sp. infesting orchids in south India.
The orchids in north-east India are attacked by Lema pectoralis unicolor
Clark, distributed in China and the Indo-Malayan subregion. The Lema beetles
attacking orchids in south India (Kumari and Lyla, 2001) and the Andaman and
Nicobar Islands (Baskaran et al., 2016; Bharathimeena, 2016) belongs to a new
species, here named as L. vimala n. sp. This is the first report of L. pectoralis unicolor
in India. The beetles infesting south Indian orchids were collected from different
orchid farms in Thiruvanathapuram. It was reared under laboratory conditions and the
life cycle was studied in detail. The external morphology of Lema pectoralis unicolor
and Lema vimala n. sp. was studied, illustrated and descriptions were prepared. The
male and female genitalia of both the species were dissected, studied and
photographed. Endophallus of L. vimala n. sp. was fully everted and the endophallic
sclerites were studied and illustrated. Illustrations and descriptions of egg, and final
instar larvae as well as pupa were prepared. The duration of life cycle ranged from 19
to 24 days, with egg period of 2 to 5 days, larval period of 5 to 9 days and pupal
period of 10 to 14 days. The adults lived for 68 to 170 days. Other biological
observations such as feeding and breeding behavior were also recorded. Eggs were
found only on flowers and the grubs fed only on flowers while the adults fed on
flowers, epiphytic roots and leaves. The grubs carry fecal shield on their back. Egg
cannibalism by first instar grubs was recorded. Adults perform thanatosis. Pediobius
sp. on eggs, Tetrastichus sp. nr julis on larva, and an unidentified Ichneumonidae on
pupa were the parasitoids recorded on L. vimala n. sp.
Agricultural Entomology
Lema species
Orchids
632.6 / AKS/ID PG
Identity, morphology and natural history of lema species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Criocerinae) infesting orchids (Asparagales: Orchidaceae) in India. - Vellayani Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture 2021 - 56p.
M Sc
The present study entitled “Identity, morphology and natural history of Lema species
(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Criocerinae) infesting orchids (Asparagales:
Orchidaceae) in India” was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani from
2019-2021 to ascertain identity of the Lema species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae:
Criocerinae) infesting orchids in India and describe them; and study the immature
stages as well as lifecycle of Lema sp. infesting orchids in south India.
The orchids in north-east India are attacked by Lema pectoralis unicolor
Clark, distributed in China and the Indo-Malayan subregion. The Lema beetles
attacking orchids in south India (Kumari and Lyla, 2001) and the Andaman and
Nicobar Islands (Baskaran et al., 2016; Bharathimeena, 2016) belongs to a new
species, here named as L. vimala n. sp. This is the first report of L. pectoralis unicolor
in India. The beetles infesting south Indian orchids were collected from different
orchid farms in Thiruvanathapuram. It was reared under laboratory conditions and the
life cycle was studied in detail. The external morphology of Lema pectoralis unicolor
and Lema vimala n. sp. was studied, illustrated and descriptions were prepared. The
male and female genitalia of both the species were dissected, studied and
photographed. Endophallus of L. vimala n. sp. was fully everted and the endophallic
sclerites were studied and illustrated. Illustrations and descriptions of egg, and final
instar larvae as well as pupa were prepared. The duration of life cycle ranged from 19
to 24 days, with egg period of 2 to 5 days, larval period of 5 to 9 days and pupal
period of 10 to 14 days. The adults lived for 68 to 170 days. Other biological
observations such as feeding and breeding behavior were also recorded. Eggs were
found only on flowers and the grubs fed only on flowers while the adults fed on
flowers, epiphytic roots and leaves. The grubs carry fecal shield on their back. Egg
cannibalism by first instar grubs was recorded. Adults perform thanatosis. Pediobius
sp. on eggs, Tetrastichus sp. nr julis on larva, and an unidentified Ichneumonidae on
pupa were the parasitoids recorded on L. vimala n. sp.
Agricultural Entomology
Lema species
Orchids
632.6 / AKS/ID PG