BIOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT COMPARISON OF ALTICA HIMENSIS (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE) ON BOTH INVASIVE ALIEN PLANT RUMEX HASTATUS AND NATIVE IMPATIENS BALSAMINA IN KASHMIR HIMALAYA

Abstract

The invasive alien plant species Rumex hastatus and a native plant species Impatiens balsamina are considered as obnoxious weeds present in the Kashmir valley covering major habitat types like orchards, agricultural fields and barren lands. The specialist native insect herbivore Altica himensis collected at field sites has a greater potential to act as bio control agent. Host specificity tests of no choice and dual choice revealed that R. hastatus and I. balsamina are only hosts of A. himensis egg and larvae. The egg oviposition and development of A. himensis larvae was found on these two plant species making them a realized host range. The developmental duration of A. himensis was faster on R. hastatus (57.27±2.03 days) as compared to I. balsamina (61.26±1.72 days) making the invasive alien plant an ideal host for this beetle. The beetle has a much greater potential to completely defoliate the host plant leading to mortality. The reduced number of leaves decreases the process of photosynthesis, slow plant growth, less production of flowers and ultimately lower seeds. This way the use of A. himensis at specific sites where the density of two plants is greater under controlled conditions can lead to eradicate the menace and subsequent seed bank in soil.