An outbreak of a white grub beetle, Lepidiota mansueta, on Majuli Island, Assam, India

Abstract

A white grub beetle, Lepidiota mansueta, which had been regarded as a rare species, recently built up large populations on Majuli Island, Assam, India and started causing serious damage to various crops such as sugarcane, potatoes, green gram and Colocasia. This species has a semi-voltine life cycle, requiring 2 years to complete one generation. The main purposes of this article are to describe the life cycle of this beetle, its damage to crops and the control measures being applied and to discuss some specific problems associated with this species on this island in terms of pest management.