Biotic stress (Insect) of Cucurbits in Arid Region of Rajasthan: A Review

Abstract

The cucurbit plants belong to family Cucurbitaceae comprises of about 117 genera and 825 species in warmer parts, in which mateera, muskmelon, ridge gourd, bottle gourd, snapmelon, kachri, round melon, sponge gourd, etc. are found in arid regional of Rajasthan. The main pests of cucurbit crops are fruity fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae, leaf eating caterpillar, Diaphania indica; leaf miner, Liriomyza trifolii; white flies, Bemisia tabaci; Hadda beetle, Epilachna viginctioctopunctata; aphids, Aphis gossypii; ash weevil, Myllocerus subfasciatus; flower beetles Mylabris macilenta; Anthicus crinitus and Anthrenus subclaviger and beet worm, Spodoptera exigua. The cucurbitaceous vegetables are loss the yield ranged from 30-100% due to pest attack and its depending upon cucurbit species and the season in different parts of arid region.