Abstract
Lepidiota mansueta Burmeister (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) is a major pest of field crops at Majuli river island, Assam, India. Sampling carried out covering ten endemic villages for three successive years (2017–2019) revealed that the larval population of L. mansueta larvae remained the sameunder both pre and post-flood situations, indicating that submergence conditions had no detrimental effect on its population. In a confirmation trial based on a simulation model, it was further recorded that mortality was highly correlated (r2 = 0.846, P < 0.001) with duration of inundation with maximum mortality occurring only at 21 days (44%) and 28 days (60%) post inundated conditions. Further, scanning light microscopy and electron microscope sections showed cuticular modifications for spiracular respiration which lacks a closing aperture. The grub had peripneustic respiratory system with 9 pairs of functional spiracles. The absence of a conventional spiracular opening but the presence of a convex projecting central bulla in place of the opening, a sclerotized and smooth sieve plate with ultramicroscopic aeropyles might provide protection against entry of water into the tracheoles, allowing only gaseous exchange. Perhaps, the surface tension of the film of water over the sieve plate also prevents the flow of water into the tracheae.
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Acknowledgements
The authors extend their gratitude to ICAR- All India Network Project on Soil Arthropod Pests, Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Durgapura, Rajasthan, India for providing necessary funds for conducting the research.
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Bhattacharyya, B., Handique, G., Borkataki, S. et al. Surviving submergence in larval stage: a strategy of Lepidiota mansueta Burmeister (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) living on flood plains of Majuli river island. Int J Trop Insect Sci 43, 719–726 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-023-00978-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-023-00978-9