Host Range and Distribution of Invasive Pest, Rugose Spiralling Whitefly Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin in Telangana, India

Abstract

Rugose Spiraling Whitefly (RSW), Aleurodicus rugioperculatus, is an invasive pest that invaded India in 2016, damaging coconut and other crops in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. RSW stresses plants by depleting water and nutrients and promotes sooty mold growth through honeydew excretion, reducing photosynthesis. The present study conducted, field surveys were conducted across major oil palm-growing districts of Telangana, including Bhadradri Kothagudem and Khammam, to assess the pest's distribution, damage intensity, infestation levels, and host range. This research provides critical insights for developing effective pest management strategies to mitigate the impact of RSW on economically significant crops. Fifty host plants from 29 families were identified as hosts for RSW. Of these, 10 plants, including coconut, oil palm, banana, sapota, mango, and guava, supported all life stages of RSW, while the remaining host plants exhibited only the egg stage. The damage caused by RSW was particularly severe in coconut, oil palm, sapota, mango, and guava, highlighting their susceptibility. This comprehensive study underscores the varying levels of host suitability and damage intensity across different plant species, providing valuable insights into the pest's biology and its impact on key crops.