Indian Phytophagous Scarabs and their Management: Present Status and Future Strategy

The tropics are known for their richness in plant and animal diversity. India being situated in the tropical region, enjoys an unique position geographically. It offers the maximum known altitudinal gradients from sea level to the greater Himalayas in the north and the Nilgiris in the south along with the Vindhya and Satpura ranges. The vegetational gradients are extreme, starting from the dense evergreen forests of north-east India and the Western Ghats in the peninsular region to the deciduous forests and scrub jungles spread over the southern and central plains and the north western part of the country. This offers enormous habitat types supporting innumerable species of insects. In India the insect fauna appears to be divers as can be inferred from the published literature. Every exploration of the a new habitat or a slightly intensive sampling of a common habitat, continues to yield new faunal element. These newer taxa have constantly posed a challenge to systematists all over the country. This is perhaps best illustrated by the taxonomic impediment often faced by agricultural entomologists. A proper identification of the pest species is a pre-requisite to ecological studies as well as for the development of management practices.