Adult Availability, Larval Density and Penetrability of Some Important Cerambycid Beetles Associated with <I>Shorea robusta</I> in Midnapore, West Bengal, India

Abstract

Cerambycid beetles cause severe damage to the young saplings, weakly standing trees and dead and dying logs of Sal (Shorea robusta). Present investigation deals with the adult availability, larval density, larval duration as well as their depth of penetration of six commonly available Cerambycid borers viz. Batocera rufomaculata, Derolus volvulus, Plocaederus obesus, Stromatium barbatum, Xylotrechus smei and Xystrocera globosa on freshly felled Sal trees in the dry deciduous tropical forests of Mid nap or districts during 1986-87. Regarding adult availability as well as their larval density D. volvulus was highest in number and P. obesus was lowest. And regarding larval duration as well as their depth of penetration S. barbatum was in top position and X. smei was in bottom. Results on succession and existence of the borers are also presented in this paper. However, Hoplicerambyx spinicornis, the most remarkable longicorn pest of Sal of moist forests, was not recorded in this area due to its dry atmospheric conditions.