The pest status and biology of Spilostethus pandurus (Scopoli) (Lygaeidae: Heteroptera)
Thangavelu, K.
Entomon 42: 137-141
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0377-9335 Accession: 000780546
Recently, crops of sesame growing in the vicinity of wild Calotropis in Madras, Salem and Tindivanam, South India, have been severely attacked by Spilostethus pandurus (Scop.), which is also known as a pest of cotton, sorghum and other crops. Vernonia cinerea and roselle are recorded as food-plants of the lygaeid for the first time. Food-plant preferences, oviposition sites and natural enemies of the bug are discussed on the basis of field and laboratory studies.