First report of Malcus indicus Štys, 1967 (Lygaeoidea, Malcidae, Malcinae) as a pest of clove bean, Ipomoea muricata (L.) Jacq. (1798) with a note on the host plants of the genus Malcus

Abstract

Malcus indicus has been reported as a pest of clove bean, Ipomoea muricata (L.) Jacq. (1798) for the first time from India, Kerala. Nymphs and adults were observed to suck sap from the matured leaves. Feeding points on leaves were seen as minute pale spots. Severely infested leaves were observed to have low photosynthetic area. Damage was observed in summer months but persisted during the onset of monsoon initially. However, heavy rains lowered the population of insect.