Seasonal occurrence and damage caused by Phycodes radiata Ochsenheimer (Lepidoptera, Brachodidae) on Ficus spp. in Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

A field study was conducted from 2019 to 2021 in the Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh to record the seasonal occurrence, infestation, and damage of the fig leaf roller, Phycodes radiata Ochsenheimer (Lepidoptera, Brachodidae), simultaneously on four host plants, Ficus benjamina L., F. benghalensis L., F. glomerata L. and F. religiosa Linn. During the three years, the peak density of P. radiata larvae was observed from March to August that declined gradually till December. The maximum larval population, infestation and damage were recorded on F. religiosa followed by F. benjamina, F. glomerata, and the lowest on F. benghalensis. The incidence of P. radiata larvae was observed on F. benjamina even in the month of January, while it was nil on other three host plants.