Xylotrechus smei (Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae: Clytini): A potential threat to Red Sanders cultivation

Abstract

Red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus L.f.) is an economically important, endangered timber species endemic to the restricted forest tracts of the Eastern Ghats, India. Here, we report the occurrence of long horned beetle Xylotrechus smei infestation on red sanders for the first time from Telangana, India. Infestation was characterized by complete drying of standing trees, presence of galleries and bore holes in cut stems. In addition, supplementary description of X. smei, including the terminal abdominal segments and genitalia of both the sexes, immatures and its illustrations are provided for more authentic identification of this important pest. Further, the identity of the insect as X. smei was confirmed through mtCOI based DNA barcode. Phylogenetic and sequence divergence analyses based on partial mtCOI gene sequence showed that X. smei isolate obtained in the current study was closely related to X. smei isolate WA13 10.01r that was intercepted in wood packaging material in one of the ports of entry of United States (U.S.).

Distribution, Species Composition and Use of Buchanania latifolia in Banke District, Nepal

“…The Buchanania latifolia was one of the important species in the forest 24 . A similar study done by several authors also found that, Shorea robusta, Terminalia alata, Lagerstroemia parviflora are the associate species of Buchanania latifolia [25][26][27] .…”