Diversity of Lac lnsect Kerria lacca Kerr Genetic Resources in Arid Western Plains of India

Abstract

newlineThe present study entitled as Diversity of Lac lnsect, Kerria lacca (Kerr) Genetic Resources in Arid Western Plains of India was carried out in the Department of Entomology, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, MPUAT, Udaipur, during 2021 and 2022 with a view to record the lac insect and its host plants, fauna associated with lac insect in the western plains of India; molecular diversity of Rangeeni lac insect during Baisakhi season and to evaluate the productivity linked parameters of lac insect during Baisakhi season crop. newlineSurveys were carried out during both year at 162 and174 locations in the three states of arid western plains viz., Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat. A total of 18 host plants under 13 genera (Polyalthia longifolia,Annona squamosa Ziziphus mauritiana, Pithecellobium dulce, Acacia nilotica, Albizia lebeck, Acacia arabica, Delonix regia, Dalbergia sissoo, Peltophorum ferrugineum, Prosopis cineraria, Ficus benjamina, Ficus religiosa, Ficus benghalensis, Ficus racemose, Calliandra calothyrsus, Butea monosperma and Prosopis juliflora) belonging to families of Annonaceae, Rhamnaceae, Fabaceae, Moraceae were recorded during 2021 and 2022. Of these, family Moraceae comprised of highest number of species under different genera and Rhamnaceae family contributed least. The study revealed that peepal, Ficus religiosa was recorded as most predominant natural host for the natural prevalence of lac insect. Among three states maximum host plants with the presence of lac insect were recorded in Rajasthan followed by Haryana and Gujarat, respectively. newlineAmong all the host plant samples, highest natural enemies emergence was recorded from the samples of Peepal followed by Ber, Bargad, Kikar, Siris, Palas, Gular, Babool, Sitafal and Sheesham during both years. Lac associated natural enemies emerged from different host samples belonging to three orders viz., Lepidoptera, Neuroptera and Hymenoptera and six families viz., Noctuidae (Eublemma amabilis), Blastobasidae (Pseudohypatopa pulverea), Chrysopidae (Chryso