INSECT PESTS INFESTING CALOTROPIS PROCERA (AIT.) AIT. F. (ASCLEPIADACEAE), A MEDICINAL PLANT IN DISTRICT RAJOURI OF JAMMU REGION (J&K)
J. S. TARA *
DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF JAMMU, JAMMU (TAWI) -180006, INDIA.
MADHU SUDAN *
DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF JAMMU, JAMMU (TAWI) -180006, INDIA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Calotropis procera popularly known as Aak or Madar plant belonging to family Asclepiadaceae is a perennial wild herb and is important from the commercial and medicinal points of view. Like any other crop, Calotropis procera plantations suffer considerable damage due to various insect pests. A total of six insect pests viz. Paramecops farinosa, Corynodes peregrinus, Anosia chrysippus, Spilostethus pandurus, Dolycoris baccarum and Poekilocerus pictus were recorded from district Rajouri in Jammu region of J&K State (India). Adults and nymphs cause serious damage to the plants through their feeding activities.
Keywords: Calotropis procera, Asclepiadaceae, medicinal plant,, adults, nymphs, damage, pests, perennial, Rajouri (Jammu).