Report of Caliothrips indicus (Bagnall) as a Serious Pest of Sesbania bispinosa: Incidence, Diagnosis and Molecular Analysis

An upsurge of Caliothrips indicus (Bagnall) was observed during April to July, 2022 and 2023 in Sesbania bispinosa in Varanasi and adjoining districts, Uttar Pradesh. Several small white streaks appeared on the leaves which eventually dried up. C. indicus infested 40–60% of the plants which appeared unkempt. In terms of spatial diversity, adults gathered on the terminal area of the plant, while developing stages tended to feed more towards the basal portion. The incidence was more common during the hot and dry summer months with peak nymphal (7.9 per compound leaf) and adult (6.09 per compound leaf) populations during 28th standard meteorological weeks. The nymphal and adult populations per compound leaf were 3.35–7.1 and 2.89–5.32, respectively. Considering the incidence and its importance, we studied the molecular and morphological taxonomy, seasonal incidence and likely migration path of C. indicus in the vegetable ecosystem.