Isolation of with Rugose Spiralling Whitefly, Aleurodicusrugioperculatus Martin in Different Host Crops

Abstract

The adults and nymphs of rugose spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicusrugioperculatuswere collected from ten different host crops (coconut, banana, arecanut, bamboo palm, Syzygium sp. maize, guava, custard apple, sapota, karanja) during 2021-2023. The fungal isolation from adults and nymphs was carried out through plating technique and obtained colonies were pure cultured for identification. The results revealed that, Aspergillus spp. and Penicilliumspp.. were found common in adults and nymphs of A. rugioperculatus collected on seven host crops (coconut, banana, arecanut, bamboo palm, guava, custard apple, and sapota). The fungi were identified based on conidia and conidiophore structure. The role of fungus in association with A. rugioperculatus is assumed to be symbiotic, where fungus would help in digestion of cellulose and provides nutritional support.