New Record of Damage to Poplar Due to <I>Leucoptera sphenograpta</I> Meyrick (Lepidoptera : Lyonetiidae), a Leaf Miner on Poplar in Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Poplars are targets of more than 100 insect pest species belonging to various groups. Out of these, 58 species are foliage feeders (defoliators). In fact, not all attain epidemic proportion. During the present studies, the insect species Leucoptera sphenograpta Mey, a lepidopterous insect belonging to family Lyonetiidae, is found to be infesti:ug Poplar and is a new record responsible for premature leaf shedding. The present paper deals with the biology of the pest studied in detail, covering the observations recorded on nature, extent of damage, immature stages and their duration, seasonal life cycle of the pest. The insect completes 10 to 12 generations in a year. The insect is a regular pest of Dalbergia sissoo mining the leaves but it has shifted its food and feeding behaviours, now has become a serious pest of Poplar. It also appears in outbreak causing significant damage to Poplars. The management of the pest includes chemical and non-chemical methods. Foliar spraying of Fenitrothion 50 EC at the rate of 0.05 per cent or Carbaryl 50 WP at the rate of 0.2 per cent water emulsion spray is effective to check the damage at small scale. Among natural enemies, four larval parasites, two pupal parasites, one egg parasite were recorded effective as biocontrol agents helpful in minimising the pest population in the field.