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589
N
Save Nature to Survive
7(4): 589-596, 2012 www.thebioscan.in
DIVERSITY OF WHITE GRUB BEETLES AND THEIR HOST RANGE
FROM NORTHERN WESETERN GHATS, KOLHAPUR DISTRICT (MS)
INDIA
G. P. BHAWANE*, A. B. MAMLAYYA1 S. R. WAGH2 AND A. K. CHAUGULE
Department of Zoology, Shivaji University Kolhapur - 416 004
1Departments of Zoology, Arts, Science and Commerce College, Parner - 414 302, Ahemednagar
2Department of Zoology, Rajaram College, Kolhapur - 416 004
e-mail: drgpbhawane@rediffmail.com
INTRODUCTION
The beetles belonging to the dominant order of animal
kingdom Coleoptera and are economically important. Several
beetles are treated as serious pests of agricultural plants and
stored products, plantations and to the natural stands. Beetles
attack almost all types of wood that is living plants as well as
processed fibers, grains, and wood products.
Scavengers and wood boring beetles play a crucial role in
decomposition and recycling of organic nutrients. Predatory
species, such as lady beetles, Histerid beetles, are potential
biological control agents of several Homopterans and disease
spreading dipterous flies’ (www. Cals.ncuc.edu, Summerlin
et al., 1982).
White grubs initially have been defined as larvae of
melolonthinae (Wolcott, 1923) but the term has wider usage
embracing the larvae of rutelinae, dynastinae and other
subfamilies of scarabaeidae, all of which have in general
similarity. White grubs are broad, fleshy, whitish or greyish
white and the body is curved in the form of letter ‘C’ (Raodeo
and Deshpande, 1987). Most of the white grubs especially
from the subfamily melolonthinae are most destructive and
troublesome soil insects in many parts of the world. In India
white grubs are restricted to certain endemic pockets in the
states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and
Karnataka.
The ICAR realized the importance of the white grubs menace
and initiated the research work through Ad-hoc research
project from 1974 at five different localities in the country as
AICRP on white grubs. In Kolhapur district (MS) India,
Leucopholis lepidophora Blanch. is serious polyphagus pest
damaging mainly sugarcane crop located along the banks of
Kumbhi Kasari river. Besides, Holotrichia serrata, Holotrichia
fissa, Holotrichia karschi and Phyllognathus dionysius also
attained the pest status in fields of paddy, jowar, maize, turmeric
and tobacco.
Taking in to account the importance of white grubs, it is decided
to study the diversity of white grub beetles and host plants of
both adult and immature stages in cultivated and natural stands
from Kolhapur district.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Materials used during the study includes a collecting net,
forceps, vials containing 70% alcohol and 4% formalin as
preserving media, plastic containers for temporary storage and
transportation. Polythene bags for storing plant material, rearing
material, or other samples. Several digging tools were used to
collect soil dwelling insects includes long handled spade,
ground breakers and sickles. Extensive surveys were carried
to find out the white grub beetles and their host range in the
natural stands in two consecutive years 2010 and 2011. As
the white grub beetles emerge after first shower of monsoon
during evening, the observations on the host range were made
from 00 pm to 10.00 pm in the each sampling site at selected
ABSTRACT
The present work provides information on diversity of white grub beetles and their diet breadth from Kolhapur
district, Maharashtra. The diet breadth of these species was assessed in both cultivated fields and natural stands.
A total of 29 species were recorded during the study period under 22 genera distributed in 4 subfamilies of family
Scarabaeidae. Grubs of Leucopholis lepidophora, Holotrichia fissa, Holotrichia karschi, Holotrichia serrata,
Adoretus versutus, Adoretus lasiopygus, Anomala bengalensis are polyphagus root grubs and serious pests of
agricultural, horticultural and silvicultural crops. One species of Dynastinae, Oryctes rhinoceros and eight
species of Cetoniinae are well known scavenger principally engaged in decomposition of plant material but their
adult forms feed on the floral parts without noticeable damage most likely helping in cross pollination of the host
plants.
KEY WORDS
Forest, Agriculture
Diet breadth
Phytophagus
Scarabaeidae
Received on :
21.03.2012
Accepted on :
07.07.2012
*Corresponding
author
590
G. P. BHAWANE et al.,
localities. Light traps were used to collect the beetles (Leather
et al., 2005).
For collection of cetoniid beetles, the sampling was made in
morning hours from 7.30 am to 9.00 am. The collection of
saproxylic beetles was made from live, freshly felled trees and
also from the decayed wood according to Nieto and Alexander
(2010). Collected beetles were brought to the laboratory for
further studies. The identification of the specimens was done
by Dr. V.V. Ramamurthy, IARI New Delhi, Insect Identification
Service. The identification of few species was made with the
help of available literature Arrow (1917; 1910); Brenske, (1892)
Study area
Kolhapur District (MS) India
The Kolhapur district is situated between 15º43’ to 17º17’ NL
and 73º40’ to 74º42’ EL 500msl. It has been divided into 12
talukas and 4 sections for managerial reason. The forest areas
of Kolhapur division lie between NL 15º43’ to 17º10’ and EL
73º40’ to 74º42’ east. The division has eight forest ranges viz.
Chandgad, Ajara, Gargoti, Radhanagari, Gaganbawada,
Karveer, Panhala and Malkapur. For the present study, three
representative forests from Western Ghats that comes in
Kolhapur district of Maharashtra have been selected and study
area of them is described below.
Sampling site: 1
Amba Reserved Forest: Amba reserved forest most popularly
considered as tourism point by the people of Kolhapur district.
It comes in Taluka Shahuwadi of district Kolhapur. According
to geographical coordinates it is situated between 15º43’ to
17º10’ NL and 73º40’ to 74º42’ EL and 691.3 meters above
mean sea level. It is situated at North-West of Kolhapur District.
It consist tropical semi-evergreen forest of north Western Ghats.
The geographical area is 318.16 ha. The average annual
rainfall noted was 6000 mm. Temperature of this region during
summer, winter and Rainy Season ranges from 25ºC to 38ºC,
10ºC -30ºC and 15ºC -30ºC respectively. The soil type is
lateritic, red and yellowish to red-brown soil observed in the
area. The area under study has part of mixed semi evergreen
and moist mixed deciduous forest exhibits tremendous plant
diversity and good vegetative cover and harbors vegetation
types ranging from seasonal grasses, herbs and climbers to
perennial herbs, shrubs and trees. Rainy season enjoys most
greenery in the study region. The sampling of the specimens
was made at 5 different localities by considering all type of
habitats.
Sampling site: 2
Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary: Radhanagari wildlife
sanctuary is declared as Wildlife Sanctuary by G.R. No. WLP-
1085.CR-588/V/F-5 of government of Maharashtra, on 16th
September, 1985. The Wildlife Sanctuary spreads along the
hilly terrain of the Sahyadri ranges of Western Ghats, located
in Radhanagari Tehsil of Kolhapur District, Maharashtra. It is
just 55km away from Kolhapur. The sources of Bhogavati and
Dudhganga rivers are located within, along with the entire
catchments of Dudhganga and Radhanagari reservoir. It lies
within the NL of 16º15’ 00’’ to 16º29’ 54’’ and EL range of
73º54’ 00’’ East, with the altitude range of 1033 msl to 530msl.
Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area about
251.16km2. It is further categorized in as 115.73km2 core
zone, 21.09km2 tourism zone, 96.03km2 developmental zone,
49.50km2. Eco-restoration zone with rest of malki land. It
receives the huge rainfall during monsoon. The average range
of rainfall is 2846 to 5520 mm (Pande and Pathak, 2005). The
temperature variation noted is about 4ºC to 41ºC. The
sampling of the specimens was made at 8 different localities
by considering all type of habitats.
Sampling site: 3
Chandoli National Park: Chandoli national park is declared
as National Park by G.R. No. WLP1099/C.L.117/F of
Government of Maharashtra on 14th May, 2004. It is located
at the junction area of four districts i.e. Sangli, Kolhapur, Satara
and Ratnagiri of Western Maharashtra. The National Park
spreads along the hilly terrain of Sahyadri ranges of Western
Ghats. The Western Ghats is considered to be a unique in
ecological conditions with rich in floral and faunal diversity.
The Chandoli National Park lies between Koyana and
Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary from Satara and Kolhapur
districts respectively, with more or less similar physical and
biological conditions. It consists of the upper catchments area
of Vasantsagar reservoir constructed on Warana River. The
recently declared Chandoli National Park covers an area of
317.64km2. containing four villages. The park area comprises
61% reserved forest area and remaining 39% area comes
under Revenue department, Irrigation department and private
lands. According to the geographical coordinates, the park
area lies within the latitude range of 17º03’ 29’’ NL to 17º17’
17’’ NL and longitudinal range of 73º03’ 29’’ EL to 73º41’ 55’’
EL containing forest. As far as conservation and management
practices of National Park, the Chandoli National park area is
classified into 4 different zones, viz. Core zone - 167.30km2,
Eco- restoration zone - 57.50km2, Developmental zone -
66.83km2 and Tourism zone - 26.01km2.
The National Park area consist typical semi-evergreen and
evergreen type of vegetation mixed with grassland patches,
supporting to the variety of endemic plant and animal species.
The sampling of the specimens was made at 7 different
localities by considering all type of habitats (Pande and Pathak,
2005).
The survey was also carried out in the agriculture fields, Teak
plantation at Panhala Taluka, in Eucalypt plantation at Ajara
Taluka and in Gliricidia plantation at Karveer Taluka and
Shahuwadi Taluka, Kolhapur district.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A total of 29 species were recorded during the study period
under 21 genera distributed in 4 subfamilies of family
Scarabaeidae. Table 1 presents the host range of adults and
immature stages of the species encountered during the study.
The host plant records, localities in which specimens were
collected are included and arranged chronologically. The
beetles collected during the course of investigation were shown
in plate I and II. The light trap studies were carried in both
woodland and cultivated field of agricultural crops. The
selected localities were Amba reserve forest (Shahuwadi),
Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandoli National Park,
Ajara, Karveer and Panhala. The details of beetles captured
on light traps shown in Table 2.
591
Subfamily melolonthinae
Subfamily melolonthinae
represented 8 species from the
present study region. This group
includes true cockchafers. These
beetles feed on tender leaves of
the trees at dusk and go back to
the soil at dawn. Grubs of this
group are injurious to seed beds
and saplings in the nursery. In the
plains, life cycle is annual with a
larval period of 8 to 10 months.
The most destructive genera of the
Melolonthinae are Holotrichia,
Apogonia, Maladera,
Leucopholis, Schizonycha and
Autoserica (Beeson, 1941; Nair,
2007; Butani, 1979).
Apogonia sp.
The grubs of this species were
collected in the cultivated fields
of Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn
and Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.
Br. The adult specimens were
collected on the foliage of
Psidium guajava L. Tectona
grandis L. and Tamarindus indica
L. at Amba Reserve Forest. Beetles
phototactic in nature. The species
was abundant during June to
August. The life cycle is annual.
The adults and grubs were
collected at all the sites.
Apogonia clypeata feed ragged
patches at the edges of young
leaves of Tectona grandis
(Beeson, 1941; Regupathy et al.,
1995). White grubs are widely
distributed all over India
damaging variety of economic
crops including various fruit trees.
Butani (1979) reported that
Apoginia sp. is as a serious pest
of grapevine.
Brahmina sp.
The beetles were collected on the
leaves of Cassia fistula L. and
Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight
and Arn. The grubs of this species
were obtained from the cultivated
fields of Eleusine coracana (L.)
Gaertn, Oryza sativa L. The
species has life cycle of a year.
Beetles phototactic in nature. The
adults and grubs were collected
at all the sites. The species was
abundant during June to August.
Brahmina coriacea feed on wide
S. No. Taxon Host records
Grubs Adults
1Apogonia sp. Eleusine coracana, Pennisetum glaucum Psidium guajava, Tectona grandis, Tamarindus indica
2Brahmina sp. Eleusine coracana,Oryza sativa, Cassia fistula,Terminalia arjuna
3Holotrichia karchi Cinnamomum tamala Terminalia tometosa, Terminalis arjuna, Guazuma almeifolia, Acacia auriculiformis,Syzygium
cumini, Dalbergia latifolia ,
4Holotrichia fissa Saccharum spp., nursery plants Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia tomentosa, Zizyphus jujuba, Syzygium cumini, Grewia sp.,
Butea monosperma, Careya arborea, Bridelia retusa, Emblica officinalis
5Holotrichia serrata Saccharum spp., Zea mays, Sorghum bicolor, Azadirachta indica,Tamarindus indica, Acacia nilotica, Butea monosperma, Psidium guajava,
Pennisetum glaucum,Arachis hypogaea Carissa carandus
6Leucopholis lepidophora Saccharum spp.,Oryza sativa, Saccharum spp., Ficus sp
7Maladera castanea Not known Carissa carandus, , Dimocarpus longan
8Maladera holosericea Not known Carissa carandus
9Adoretus lasiopygus Curcuma aromatica Zizyphus jujuba, Terminalia tomentosa, Terminalia arjuna
10 Adoretus versutus Curcuma aromatica Zizyphus jujuba, Terminalia tomentosa, Terminalia arjuna
11 Anomala bengalensis Arachis hypogaea Syzygium cumini,
12 Anomala sp Arachis hypogaea Not known
13 Anomala sp. Arachis hypogaea Not known
14 Rhomborrhina glaberimma Not known Cassia fistula
15 Mimela vernate Capsicum vernate Not known
16 Rhyniptia indica Sorghum bicolor, Pennisetum glaucum Curcuma aromatica
17 Prodoretus sp. Heteropogon contorum, Panicum virgatum Curcuma aromatica
18 Dicaulocephalus feae Not known Apluda mutica
19 Oxycetonia versicolor Not known Sorghum bicolor, Pennisetum glaucum, Apluda mutica, Heteropogon Contorum
20 Anthracophora crucifera Not known Sorghum bicolor, Pennisetum glaucum,
21 Anatona stillata Not known Apluda mutica, Heteropon contorum
22 Chiloloba acuta Decaying dung and vegetable matter Zea mays, Sorghum bicolor, Pennisetum glaucum, Apluda mutica,
Heteropogon contorum, Panicum sp.
23 Clinteria sp. Not known Mimusops elengi, Mammea suriga
24 Clinteria sp. Not knwon Mimusops elengi Mammea suriga
25 Glycyphana horsefieldi Dead wood of Samanea saman and A. lebbeck Not known
26 Protaetia aurichalcea Not known Not known
27 Xylotrupes giedon Decayed wood and dung Coccus nucifera, Ficus sp.
28 Oryctes rhinoceros Decayed dung and vegetable matter Coccus nucifera
29 Phyllognathus dionysius Oryza sativa, Zea mays —
Table 1: White grub beetles and their host plants
DIVERSITY OF WHITE GRUB BEETLES FROM KOLHAPUR
592
Species Amba Reserve Radhanagari ChandoliNational Park Ajara Karveer Panhala
forest(Shahuwadi) Wildlife sanctuary
Apogonia sp.40 35 30 45 15 25
Brahmina sp.248 521
Holotrichia Karschi 80 50 43 35 98 60
Holotrichia fissa 41 37 15 22 19 49
HolotrichiaSerrata 15 24 12 45 40 38
Maladera castanea 10 12 34 55 65 34
Maladera holosericea 13 24 44 50 13 44
Adoretus Lasiopygus 35 24 12 14 150 140
Adoretus versutus 10 23 34 12 108 114
Anomala bengalensis 53340 12432
Anomala sp. 5 23 31 - 1 1
Anomala sp. 1 - 12 2 13 12
Mimela vernate --- -58-
RhyniptiaIndica 10 25 36 17 18 22
Prodoretus sp.51826 22334
Xylotrupes giedon 3-- 212
Oryctes rhinoceros --- -51
Phyllognathus dionysius 511 12-
Table 2: Capture of white grubs beetles in all sampling sites
variety of trees but it has been considered as major pest of fruit
orchards (Beeson, 1941). Chandla et al. (1988) stated that it is
a serious pest of Solanum tuberosum in Himachal Pradesh
causing losses up to 56.3%.
Holotrichia karschi Brenske
The beetles were collected on the foliage of Terminalia
tometosa (Roxb.) Wight and Arn., Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.)
Wight and Arn., Guazuma almifolia Lam., Acacia
auriculiformis Lam., Syzygium cumini (L) Skeels., Dalbergia
latifolia Roxb. The grubs feed on the roots of Cinnamomum
tamala. Saplings of Cinnamomum tamala are more succeptible
to the attack of H. karschi grubs. Severe damage was noticed
at Amba reserve forest. The species is dominant during June
to August. Beetles phototactic in nature. The adults and grubs
were collected at all the sites. No data are available on the pest
status of this species from the natural stands. Beeson (1941)
reported seven species of Holotrichia viz. H. problematica, H.
seticollis, H. tuberculata, H. consanguinea, H. longipennis
and H. serrata.
Holotrichia fissa Brenske
The larvae of H. fissa were collected from the fields of Sugarcane
and Saplings of teak in the nursery. The adults and grubs were
collected at all the sites. The beetles were collected from the
foliage of Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight and Arn, Terminalia
tomentosa (Roxb.) Wight and Arn, Zizyphus jujuba (L.) H.
Karst., Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels., Grewia sp., Butea
monosperma Roxb. ex Willd, Careya arborea Roxb., Bridelia
retusa Spreng, Emblica officinalis Gaertn. The beetles are easily
attracted to light. Life cycle is annual. The species was abundant
during June to August. This species feed on 22 different plant
species in Konkan region Maharashtra (Lolage and Patil,
1988).Chandra (2009) reported this species from Panchmarhi
Biosphere reserve, Madhya Pradesh. Grubs cause serious
damage to teak seedlings in nurseries and plantation.
Holotrichia Serrata Fab.
The beetles were found to feed on the leaves of Azadirachta
indica A. Juss., Tamarindus indica L., Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd.
ex. Del., Butea monosperma Roxb. ex Willd, Psidium guajava
L., Carissa carandus L. at all the three sampling sites. The
grubs were found to damage the roots of sugarcane, jowar,
maize, paddy and groundnut at Panhala, Karveer, Shahuwadi
and Ajara. The species was abundant during June to August.
Beetles collected on the host plants and attracted to light. The
damage caused by grubs of Holotrichia serrata in nurseries is
one of the main problems in raising Tectona grandis
plantations. The grubs feed on the tap roots of the seedlings
and the damaged plants wilt and die (Bandara, 1990).
Leucopholis lepidophora Blanchard
The grubs were serious pests of Sugarcane from Kolhapur
region. The sugarcane cultivated area at bank of river Kumbhi
Kasari was the endemic pocket of this species. The grubs were
also found in the fields of Oryza sativa L. The present flare up
of the Leucopholis lepidophora in Kolhapur might be due to
monoculture of sugarcane crop on large scale area. This
indicates that food is sufficiently available to multiply rapidly
which in turn help in easy spread of this species over an area.
The beetles feed on the foliage of Saccharum spp., Ficus sp.
The species occurs commonly in the Sugarcane fields. The
species never recorded in the forested area during the study
period. The species was abundant during August to
September. Beetles phototactic in nature. Life cycle annual.
Maladera castanea Arrow
The larvae were found to feed on the roots of grasses in the
grassland. The beetles devour the foliage of Carissa carandus
L., Dimocarpus longan Lour. Beetles were freely attracted
towards light. Life cycle annual. The species was abundant
during June to August. The adults and grubs were collected at
all the sites.
Maladera holosericea Scopoli
The beetles feed only on the leaves of Carissa carandus L in
Amba reserve forest.
Grubs feed on the roots of grasses in the grasslands. The adults
and grubs were collected at all the sites. The life cycle is annual.
Beetles phototactic in nature. The species was abundant in
the months June to August. White grubs are polyphagus pests
which badly have an effect on the economic status of many
G. P. BHAWANE et al.,
593
cultivators in India. For case Maladera insanabilis Brenske is
one of the most injurious and troublesome of soil insects,
threatening the total crop production (Awasthi and Dwivedi,
1996).
Subfamily Rutelinae - The subfamily Rutelinae represented
10 species.
Adoretus lasiopygus Burm
The immature stages of this species found to damage the roots
of Curcuma aromatica Salisb. and grasses. The beetles feed
on the foliage of Zizyphus jujuba (L.) H.Karst, Terminalia
tomentosa (Roxb.) Wight and Arn, Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.)
Wight and Arn. Beetles phototactic in nature, life cycle annual.
The species was abundant during June to August. The adults
and grubs were collected at all the sites.
A. versutus Harold
Beetles feed on the leaves of Zizyphus jujuba (L.) H.Karst,
Terminalia tomentosa (Roxb.) Wight and Arn, Terminalia
arjuna (Roxb.) at all the sampling sites. The grubs of this species
found to damage the roots of Curcuma aromatica Salisb. and
grasses at all the sampling sites. The species was abundant
during June to August. Life cycle annual, Beetles freely attracted
towards light.
Adoretus is a ruteline genus comprises several species over
100 in India which is nocturnal defoliator in beetle stage and
is injurious to seedlings in larval stage. For instance Adoretus
bimarginatus feed on the foliage of Bombax malabaricum,
Cassia fistula and other trees (Beeson, 1941). Sheldon et al.
(1995) reported Adoretus sinicus on 10 different plant species.
In 1964, Habeck stated that this species utilizes 255 plant
species as a food source.
Anomala bengalensis Blanch.
The members of the genus Anomala feed on wide range of
plants. But during the present study this species was recorded
only on Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels. The grubs feed on the
roots of Arachis hypogaea L. The species has life cycle of a
year. Beetle easily attracted towards light. Adult Swarming was
noticed during May and June. The species was recorded at all
the sites.
Beeson (1941) reported this species on Cassia fistula,
Lagerstroemia and other trees. The grubs are also injurious to
Sugarcane. He listed 13 species of Anomala feeding on wide
range of trees. For case Anomala dalbergiae defoliates
Dalbergia latifolia, A. grandis feed on Alnus grandis. Garg and
Verma (1993) studied bionomics of Anomala dimidiata in
Kumaon Hills and reported 32 food plants in beetle stage and
18 host plants during larval stage.
Anomala sp.
The grubs feed on the roots of Arachis hypogaea L. Beetles
feed on the foliage of Psidium guajava L., Syzygium cumini (L.)
Skeels. The species was recorded at all the sites. Beetles were
freely attracted to light trap. Life cycle annual and adults were
abundant during June to August. This species was collected at
Amba reserve forest, Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandoli
National Park, Karveer and Panhala.
Anomala sp.
The larvae feed on the roots of Arachis hypogaea L. Beetles
feed on the foliage of Psidium guajava L., Syzygium cumini (L.)
Skeels. The species was recorded at all the sites. Beetles were
freely attracted to light trap. Life cycle annual and adults were
Plate 1: Diversity of white grub beetles from Kolhapur district (MS) India
DIVERSITY OF WHITE GRUB BEETLES FROM KOLHAPUR
594
abundant during June to August. This species was collected at
Amba reserve forest, Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandoli
National Park, Karveer and Panhala.
Rhomborrhina glaberimma Westwood
Larval host plants are not known from the present study region.
Beetles feed on the foliage of Cassia fistula L. The species was
collected at Amba reserve forest, Chandoli National Park and
Panhala during the months June to August. Beetles were not
attracted to the light trap.
Mimela vernate
The adult host plants are not known from the present study
region but grubs were found to damage the roots of Capsicum
spp. The species was recorded at Karveer site. The species
was abundant during June to August.
Rhyniptia indica Burm
Beetles feed on the foliage of Curcuma aromatica Salisb. The
adults were abundant during August to end of December.
Grubs were found to damage the roots of Sorghum bicolor L
and Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. The species was collected
at all sites.
Prodoretus sp.
Adults devour the foliage of Curcuma aromatica Salisb. The
beetles were abundant during August to end of December.
Grubs were found to damage the roots of Sorghum bicolor L.
and P. glaucum (L.) R. Br. The species was collected at all sites.
Dicaulocephalus feae Gestro
The larval host plants are unknown from the present study
region. Adults feed on the foliage of Apluda mutica Salisb. No
earlier records are available on this species from this region.
Subfamily cetoniinae
This subfamily represnted 8 species. Cetoniinae is a diverse
group of the showiest scarabs comprises approximately 3900
species in 315 genera. Cetoniids are worldwide distributed
except for sub polar areas and some offshore New Zealand
Islands. Cetoniinae not only comprises shiny, bright metallic
species but also velvety forms with cryptic disruption patterns.
Adults of most species exhibit diurnal habit feed on flowers as
well as plant sap and fruits (Mico et al., 2008).
Oxycetonia versicolor Fab.
As a rule, like other immatures of cetoniids, the grubs of this
species feed on the decaying organic matter of plant and
animal origin. Beetles feed on the floral parts of Curcuma
aromatica Salisb., Sorghum bicolor L., Pennisetum glaucum
(L.) R. Br and Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench. and Zea
mays L. The emergence of this beetle coincides with the
flowering period of its host plants. The beetles were notice
during August to September. The beetles were collected at
Karveer, Panhala, Ajara and Amba reserve forest
Anthracophora crucifera Olivier
The grubs of this species feed on the decaying organic matter
of plant and animal origin. Beetles feed on the floral parts of
Curcuma aromatica Salisb., Sorghum bicolor L., Pennisetum
glaucum (L.) R. Br and Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.
and Zea mays L. The emergence of this beetle coincides with
the flowering period of its host plants. The beetles were notice
Plate 2: Diversity of white grub beetles from Kolhapur district (MS) India
G. P. BHAWANE et al.,
595
during August to September. The beetles were collected at
Karveer, Panhala, Ajara and Amba reserve forest.
Anatona stillata Newman.
The immature stages feed on the decayed organic matter.
Beetles feed on the floral parts of Apluda mutica L.,
Heteropogon contorum (L.) P. Beauv. ex Roem. and Schult.
and Panicum sp. The beetles were notice during August to
September. The beetles were collected at Karveer, Panhala,
Ajara and Amba reserve forest. The beetles were abundant
during August to September.
Chiloloba acuta G and P
The grubs of this species were recorded in the composting
heaps. The immature stages feed on the decayed dung and
plant material. But the grubs were not recorded within buffalo
dung pads in the grasslands. Beetles feed on the floral parts of
the Sorghum bicolor L., Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br, Zea
mays L., Panicum sp., Apluda mutica L. and Heteropogon
contorum (L.) P. Beauv. ex Roem. and Schult. The beetles
were collected at all the sampling sites.
Clinteria sp.
The larval food of this species is not known from this region.
Adults feed on the flowers of Mimusops elengi L. and Mammea
suriga (Buch.-Ham. ex Roxb.) Kosterm.
Clinteria sp. is being reported for the time from Kolhapur
district, Northern Western Ghats, Maharashtra. The species
was abundant during March to May. The beetles were collected
at Amba reserve forest and Chandoli Natinal Park.
Clinteria sp.
The food of immature stages of this species is not known from
this region. Adults feed on the flowers of Mimusops elengi Linn
and Mammea suriga (Buch.-Ham. ex Roxb.) Kosterm. Clinteria
sp. is being reported for the time from Kolhapur district, Northern
Western Ghats, Maharashtra. The species was abundant during
March to May. The beetles were collected at all the sampling
sites. Regupathy et al. (1995) reported that grubs of Clinteria
klugi were injurious to the roots of Tectona grandis.
Glycyphana horsfieldi Arrow.
The grubs are xilosaprophagus, found within the dead wood
of Albizzia libbeck Afr J. and Samanea saman (Jacq.) Merr.
The food of adult was not known. Other ecological
requirements of this beetle were not known. The species was
collected at Karveer.
Protaetia aurichalcea Fab.
The adult and larval food of the species was not known from
the present study region. The species was collected at Karveer.
Subfamily dynastinae
This subfamily represented 3 species. The dynastine beetles
are performing a key role in nutrient recycling. The grubs are
capable of fragmenting large amounts of wood during their
feeding, very much expediting breakdown time (Morón, 1985).
During this process, they generate detritus and excretions that
make possible the action of other decompositional agents in
the microfauna and microflora. This ecological role makes
them very important for nutrient recycling in tropical woods
(Morón, 1985). Mature reproductive forms of most species
are active during dark or crepuscular and phototactic. Members
of the Dynastinae feed on foliage, sap secretions, fruits and
floral parts of the plants. The immature forms are saprophagous
or phytophagous, feeding on roots, stems, decaying logs, or
organic matter. Few individuals are economically important,
causing injury to crops such as corn and sugarcane (Morón,
2004). Males in several species especially in the tribes
Dynastini, Agaocephalini, and Oryctini have prominent horns
and they are large in size which give rise to vernacular names
such as “rhinoceros beetle”, “elephant beetle”, “Hercules
beetle” or “unicorn beetle” (Ratcliffe, 2003).
Xylotrupes giedon L.
The adults were recorded to feed on the Coccus nucifera L.
and Ficus sp in the nursery. The species was collected at
Panhala, Shahuwadi and Ajara. The beetles were abundant
during June to August. The life cycle was annual. The beetles
were easily attracted to light. The beetles were collected at
Amba reserve forest, Ajara, Karveer and Panhala. The grubs
were collected in the composting heaps at Karveer and
Panhala.
Oryctes rhinoceros L.
The beetles feed on the Coccus nucifera L. and Ficus sp. Beetles
get freely attracted to light. The species was collected at all the
sites. The life cycle was annual. The species was abundant
during June to August. The grubs were collected in the
composting heaps at Karveer and Panhala.
Phyllognathus dionysius Fab
Grubs feed on the roots of jowar, bajara, maize and turmeric.
The beetles feed on the foliage of Ficus sp. Beetles freely
attracted to light. The species was collected at all the sites. The
life cycle was annual. The species was abundant during June
to August. The grubs were collected from the fields of rice,
maize and sugarcane at Ajara, Shahuwadi and Panhala. The
adults were captured on light trap at all sites.
The cultivators of sugarcane, paddy, jowar, tobacco, maize
and chilli are facing the problem of white grubs in Kolhapur
district. The principal pest species are Leucopholis
lepidophora, Holotrichia karschi, Holotrichia fissa, Holotrichia
serrata, Anomala bengalensis and Phyllognathus dionysius.
It may perhaps due to large scale cultivation of these crops.
This make the availability of large scale food belt with
alternative food plants to the pest species. The unregulated
use of insecticides in the intensive cropping patterns and
change in physical factors of the environment also play a
significant role in the out break of pest species (Raodeo and
Deshpande, 1987).
Except Cetoniids, the abundance and emergence of beetles
was observed during June to second week of August. Perhaps,
heavy rainfall in the month of August affected the emergence
of beetles. Cetoniids showed different pattern of emergence.
Their emergence coincided with flowering period of host
plants. The incidence of Cetoniids was observed in hot weather
and wet weather conditions. The incidence of Oxycetonia
versicolor Fab., Anatona stillata Newman, Chiloloba acuta G
& P and Anthracophora crucifera Olivier was recorded from
August to September in rainy season. Clinteria sp. was
observed on the flowers of Mimusops elengi and Mammea
suriga in hot weather during the months March to May. The
occurrence of beetles varies in time and space and also with
DIVERSITY OF WHITE GRUB BEETLES FROM KOLHAPUR
596
respect to the food plants. The beetles showed wide distribution
in the agriculture ecosystem but in the forests they exhibited
different patterns of distribution according to the availability
and types of plants. Among the species recorded during the
investigation, H. fissa, H. karschi, H. serrata, A. versutus, A.
lasiopygus, Chiloloba acuta and Clinteria sp. Showed
specificity in the distribution within the present study area. H.
karschi preferred T. tomentosa and T. arjuna for feeding in
Amba reserve forest while in Chandoli National Park the species
was recorded on Acacia auriculiformis. H. fissa was frequently
recorded on the Carissa carandus in Radhanagari wildlife
Sanctuary but in Chandoli National Park it was found on
Emblica officinalis. H. serrata was recorded on the Azadirachta
indica in suburban areas wherever the Neem exixts. In the
absence of Neem, beetles feed on the foliage of Acacia nilotica
and Tamarindus indica. Adoretus versutus and Adoretus
lasipygus feed on the Terminalia tomentosa and Terminalia
arjuna. But in the absence of these food plants these beetles
preferred Zizyphus jujuba. The beetles were recorded on
Terminalia in Amba reserve forest, Radhanagari Wildlife
Sanctuary and Chandoli National Park while at Karveer the
species were recorded on the Zizyphus jujuba. Chiloloba
acuta mainly feed on the jowar, maize and bajara but in the
absence of these plants in the grassland this species was
recorded on the grasses Apluda mutica, Heterepogon
contorum and Panicum sp.
Similar observations were recorded in case of Clinteria sp.
The species feed on the floral parts of Mimusops elengi and
Mammea suriga. The primary food plant of adult was
Mimusops elengi in the absence of M. elengi beetles feed on
the flowers of Mammea suriga. In Amba reserve forest, it was
recorded on both host plants while in Radhanagari Wildlife
Sanctuary and Chandoli National Park, the species feed on
the floral parts of Mammea suriga. Mammea suriga has wide
distribution within the present study area. Stebbing (1914)
has described the geographical distribution of insect, especially
beetles of economic importance, from the Indian forests. The
distribution of insects in the woodland is depending upon the
type of forest that the area is covered by which type of principle
tree species. The shifting of host plants in absence of primary
food plants which in turn help these polyphagus insects to adapt
under continuously changing systems and start new generation.
The present study will help in the management of such
polyphytophagus insects from the cultivated and natural stands.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
G. P. Bhawane and A.B. Mamlayya are thankful to CSIR, New
Delhi for financial support. Authors are also thankful to Dr.
V.V. Ramamurthy, Insect Identification Service, IARI, New Delhi
for identification of the specimens.
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