Red Pumpkin Beetle : Study of Ecology and Biology in Assam

The growth of cucurbit crops are severely affected by a number of insect pests among which, the red pumpkin beetle Aulacophora (Raphidopalpa) foveicollis (Lucas) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) are the most damaging and major pests. The beetle causes heavy damage during early phase of plant growth in India and abroad. Curative control measures are practiced to protect them. The proper control of pests minimizes economic losses and damage to the environment. The infestation by the pest on all the major cucurbitaceous crops is also noticed from Cachar district- one of the major district of Barak Valley which is situated in the southern part of Assam, North-East India. The management practices are not enough due to lack of scientific knowledge of its ecology and biology. There is a need for studying and documenting the proper knowledge of insect pest incidence in different agro-climatic environments. The main aim of the book is to help the researchers, policy makers, scientists, academicians to give a brief idea about the Ecology and Biology of this pest in the southern part of Assam in NE India.