Insect Rests of Bamboos and Their Control

Abstract

There are large number of species of insects that attack bamboos belonging to the orders Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Orthoptera and Hemiptera. Of the defoliators, greater leaf roller Pyrausla coclesalis is the most important occurring in epidemic. In post-monsoon season. Other defoliators are P. bambucivora, Pionia flavofimbriata, Massepha absolutalis, Heiroglyphus banian and poecilocerus pictus. The defoliators can be controlled by spraying/dustlng insecticides. The bamboo weevils Cyrtotrachelus dux and Cyrtotrachelus longimanus are important shoot borers. The hispine beetle Estigmena chinensis inflicts heavy damage on Dendrocalamus strictus culms. The borers of standing bamboos are controlled by silvicultural thinnings. The orber shoot boring insects Argyroploce paragramma, Chelyophoro ceratatina, C. Striata are not important. There are many spedes of scale insects belonging to tbe genera, Chionaspis, Odonaspis and Aslerolccanium. Which attack both wild and cultivated species hut are not important. Of the sap-suckers bamboo aphid Oregma bambusae and seed bug Ochrophara occurs in epidemic form. The sap-suckers can be controlled by chemical sprays.Ghoon beetles, Dinoderus brevis, D. minutus and D. ocellaris are most destructive powder post beetles. Prophylactic .nd preservative treatments are recommended for their control. Bamboo entomology has been neglected so far except studies on ghoon beetles. Need for detailed studies on the biology, life-history, natural enemy complex and control of forest pests are emphasized.