Seasonal occurrence and mode of damage of Eusarcocoris capitatus distant, a pest of Ocimum sanctum L.

Seasonal occurrence and mode of damage of Eusarcocoris capitatus distant, a pest of Ocimum sanctum L.

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Eusarcocoris capitatus Dried Fruits Distant (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), a pentatomid bug, infests valuable medicinal plant, Ocimum sanctum L.at Saharanpur District in good number.It is a phytosuccivorous bug, which with the help of their piercing and sucking mouth parts drains out sap from the seeds, flowers and leaves of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum).

During this study, it has been observed that E.capitatus occur maximum during March to mid of December.Adults of E.

capitatus undergo hibernation during late December to first week of March to avoid unfavorable cold climatic conditions.Maximum population and infestation of Cutlery Basket this bug have been recorded during July to October when temperature and moisture content are suitable for its development and reproduction.Studies on mode of damage revealed that all the five nymphal instars and adults suck the sap content from all parts of O.

sanctum plant.The damaged seeds shrink and loss viability and become unfit for germination.Looking to the medicinal value of Tulsi, control of this bug is urgently needed.