Poor Fruit formation in Teak in Chanda forests of Maharastra

Abstract

Poor fruit formation in teak in Chanda forest of Maharashtra had been found to be due to attack of Pyrausta macheralis on teak inflorescence. Skeletonizer population was very high this year during flowering season of teak i.e. in July and August as against during late September in a normal year. Scanty and uneven rainfall and lack of competition for food from another pest i.e. teak defoliator are reasons for this unprecedented attack of skeletonizers. The life-history, habits, ecology and nature of damage by the skeletonizers are given. Control measures such as isolation of seed plots in felling coupes, destruction of understorey, spraying of weedicides and setting up of light-traps have been suggested. Autocida1 control, use of sex.attractant in bait traps and biological control are suggested as long-term control measures.