Innovations in Dryland Agriculture

149

Table 2

Insect pests of dryland crops, host crops and their mode of damage

Common name

Scientific name

Order: Family

Host crop

Mode of damage

Sources

Termites

Microtermes mycophagous

D.

Isoptera: Termitidae

Wheat, sorghum

Many species are crops with damage caused to stems and roots of seedlings and mature plants which can result in significant yield losses.

Perry and Perry (

1989

)

Sugarcane beetle

Holotrichia consanguinea

B.

Coeloptera: Melolonthinae

Pearl millet

Damage soon after sowing and sometimes near maturity. Damaged plants dry up completely and are easily pulled out. Plants damaged at later stages give rise to white ears.

Locusts

Chortoicetes terminifera

W.

Orthoptera: Acrididae

Pearl millet, sorghum, barley, oats, etc.

Damage most green plants. Eat a wide range of food and each one eats its weight in food daily.

Maxmen (

2013

)

Grasshoppers

Chrotogonus trachypterus

B.

Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae

Pasture, grains, forage, vegetables

General feeders on grasses and weeds and often move to cultivated crops. Crop damage is likely to be greatest in years when dry weather accompanies high populations.

Perry and Perry (

1989

)

Aphids

Rhopalosiphum maidis

F.

R. padi

L.

Hemiptera: Aphididae

Wheat, maize, barley, forage legumes, sunflower, oilseeds, fruit trees, etc.

Sucking insect pest. Most destructive pest on cultivated plants causing yellowing, mottled leaves, stunted growth, curled leaves, browning, low yields and even death in plants.

Asin and Pons (

2001

),

Irshad (

2001

) and

Taheri et

al. (

2010

)

(continued)

Insect-Pests in Dryland Agriculture and their Integrated Management