S. ARSHA RAJ*, M.S.V. CHALAM, K. MANJULA AND M. GURIVI REDDY

Department of Entomology, S.V. Agricultural College, ANGRAU, Tirupati-517 502.

ABSTRACT

Major paddy growing districts of Kerala viz., Alappuzha, Palakkad, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kottayam and Ernakulam were surveyed and planthoppers were collected, identified and described. The taxonomic characterization was undertaken by studying external morphological features and male genital characters. Eight planthopper species were identified viz., Cemus sp., Coronacella sinhalana (Kirkaldy), Harmalia anacharsis (Fennah), Nilaparvata lugens (Stal), Sogatella furcifera (Fennah), Sogatella kolophon (Kirkaldy), Toya bridwelli (Distant) and Nisia nervosa (Melichar) from family Meenoplidae. Out of the identified species, three species viz., Coronacella sinhalana (Kirkaldy), Harmalia anacharsis (Fennah) and Toya bridwelli (Distant) were new records from Kerala. Distinguishing morphological characters along with colour photographs were provided for better comprehension and easy identification of planthoppers.

KEYWORDS: Cemus, Coronacella, Harmalia, Nilaparvata, Sogatella, Toya and Nisia.