Species composition and diagnoses of leaf- and fruit-scarring beetles (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) infesting bananas and plantains (Zingiberales, Musaceae) in the Indian subcontinent

Abstract

Leaf- and fruit-feeding chrysomelids (Coleoptera) on bananas and plantains (Musaceae, Zingiberales) cause major losses to banana growers in the northern and northeastern regions of India, Bangladesh, and other parts of Southeast Asia. The species composition of these beetles has not been studied so far in India and wrong names or wrong name combinations in the literature have caused confusion. Most particularly, the Central and South American apecies of Colaspis hypochlora Lefèvre (Chrysomelidae, Eumolpinae) has been erroneously reported as occurring in India and Bangladesh, and this name has been used for the Indian species. Based on extensive surveys for leaf- and fruit-feeding chrysomelids in the northern and northeastern regions of India from 2015 to 2019, three species of banana-feeding chrysomelids, namely, Basilepta subcostata (Jacoby) (Eumolpinae), Bhamoina varipes (Jacoby), and a new species, Sphaeroderma cruenta sp. nov. (Galerucinae, Alticini), are documented. Of these, the latter two are recorded as pests of banana in India for the first time. An illustrated diagnostic account of these three species is given to facilitate their identification by economic entomologists. COI sequences of populations of B. subcostata from Assam and Uttar Pradesh showed 98–100% homology, indicating that these populations are conspecific and that COI sequences can be used for rapid species determination. Brief notes on the biology and available management options for these pests are also given.