First record of Acythopeus curvirostris citrulli (Marshall) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on sponge gourd, Luffa cylindrica (Linn.), its bionomics, diurnal activity and ecofriendly management

Abstract

The present study reports the first record of melon weevil, Acythopeus curvirostris citrulli as a serious pest of sponge gourd from India. Studies were conducted during Kharif seasons of 2013-14 and 2014-15 at IIVR, Varanasi and observed that about 70-80 per cent fruits and 30 per cent shoots were damaged by this weevil. Gravid females lay eggs in small batches on the tender fruits just beneath the skin and on hatching grubs start feeding on the soft, tender fruit pulp and continue till pupation. Due to its feeding, the affected fruits rot and there was no seed formation. Pupation occurs inside the fruits. Cocoons are hard blackish in colour made up of fibrous materials of the fruits and larval excreta. Adults emerge from the dry fruits by making small emerging holes. Affected fruits exhibit characteristic brown gummy encrustations on the fruits which significantly reduce its market value