Host-Specificity of Orthogalumna terebrantis Wallwork (Acarina: Galumnidae) Introduced for Biological Control of Water Hyacinth in India

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Authors

  • Division of Entomology and Nematology, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake Pest, Bangalore - 560 089 ,IN
  • 2391, Seneco Drive, Trog, OH 45373 ,US

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18311/jbc/1988/15363

Keywords:

Orthogalumna terebrantis, Water Hyacinth, Host-Specificity, Biological Control.

Abstract

The host-specificity of Orthogalumna terebranris Wallwork (Acarina: Galumnidae), introduced from Florida, U.S.A. for biological control trials against water hyacnth was tested under quarantine conditions in Bangalore, India. A total of 89 species of plants representing 43 families were used for the studies. Adults of the mite were released on twigs confined within improvised cages made of thick polythene sheet and cloth. Aquatic plants were directly provided in plastic jars with water. Observations carried out after 25, 32 and 39 days revealed that only water hyacinth was attacked, as evidenced by gallery formation on leaves. O. terehrantis is therefore considered to be safe for field liberation in India.