JOURNAL of Soil Biology and Ecology 

Farmers’ perception and management practices of areca nut white grubs, Leucopholis  spp. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Karnataka 

Authors: K.V. PRAKASH AND D. RAJANNA 

Abstract:

The adoption of management practices of areca nut white grubs, Leucopholis spp.  (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) among farmers in hilly and coastal agro-climatic zones of Karnataka was assessed. Questionnaire-based surveys of 81 areca farmers revealed that 84 per cent of the farmers were aware of the U.A.S.B. recommendations for managing areca nut white grubs. However, none of the farmers followed the comprehensive practices suggested by the U.A.S.B. Majority of the farmers (81.48%) relied on insecticides to control white grubs. Lack of knowledge of the pest, high labour cost and labour scarcity were posed as the main constraints for the adoption of the entire package. The study has also identified several indigenous control practices against white grubs. 

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