Author(s): L. C. PATEL, C. K. MONDAL AND A. PRAMANIK

Abstract: The presence of P. solenopsis in field crops, horticultural crops and weeds in South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, India, was studied from 2007-08 to 2009-10. P. solenopsis was reported for the first time in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum cv. LRA 5166) in West Bengal in 2007-08. The pest then spread to surrounding sunflower and groundnut fields in 2008-09 and 2009-10, respectively. P. solenopsis was observed on 28 plant species (3, 6, 8, one, 5 and 5 species of field crops, vegetables, ornamental plants, medicinal plants, fruit trees and weeds, respectively) from 19 families. Among the field crops, summer cotton, sunflower and groundnut were the most preferred hosts. Weed hosts included Parthenium hysterophorus, Ixora coccinea and Salmalia malabarica [Bombax ceiba].

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