Survey Studies on Insect-pests Associated with Important Medicinal Plants in Himachal Pradesh

Indian Himalayan region is one of the richest sources of biodiversity in the world, having a wide range of medicinal and aromatic plants. The present studies were undertaken to record the insect-pest complex of some important medicinal plants. In all fifteen insect species belonging to four orders were observed to be associated with ten medicinal plants in different parts of Himachal Pradesh. All these insect-pests were recorded in low to medium numbers causing moderate damage. Seven insect species viz., Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Fabr.), Nezara viridula (Linn.), Dysdercus cingulatus (Fabr.), Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), Drosicha mangiferae (Green), chrysomelid, Podagrica bowringi Baly and one unidentified pentatomid bug were recorded feeding on Withania somnifera. On Saussurea costus, Thysanoplusia orichalcea, Condica conducta (Walker), C. albigutta (Wileman) and Alcidodes crinalifer (Marshall) were found associated at different locations in Himachal Pradesh. Papilio sp. was recorded damaging Aegle marmelos at Shimla. Digitalis lanata, Rauwolfia serpentina, Celastrus paniculatus and Bacopa monerii showed low degree of damage by a scale insect, Drosicha, Pyrrhocorid bug and Spodoptera litura.