Neem in India
NON-INSECT PESTS
A number of non-insect pests like mites, nematodes, a bird and three species of mammals have also
been found damaging the neem trees. The four species of mites recorded on neem are listed. Of
these, Calipitrlmerus azadirachtae Chanabasvanna is the most important one. Mites prefer only
tender reddish leaves and cause minute scars by feeding on them. These scars are later seen as
brown or white dots on older leaves. The tender leaves get slightly deformed due to mite feeding. In
due course, the twigs and leaves dry out in an extensive. Manner causing severe damage. The mite
has also been reported to cause yellowing in upto 30% of the leaves, Neem seedlings are damaged
by an unidentified mollusc in Gujarat. The pest feeds on the main tender stem above the collar region
by licking the bark which results in the girdling of the main stem and subsequently dies due to the
injuries made to the cambium and conductive tissues.
Seven genera of plant parasitic nematodes, viz., Meloidogyne sp., Pratylenchus sp., Xiphinema sp.,
Helicotylenchus sp., Pratylenchus sp., Trichodorus sp. and Tyianchorhynchus sp. were found in
abundance in the rhizosphere of old neem trees at New Delhi, India (K.K. Kaushal; Personal
Communication). Three species of mammals. viz., Capra hircus, Cephalophus rufilatgus and Lepus
crawshayi have been reported to be damaging neem plantations. Rose-ringed parakeet, Pstittacula
krameri (Scopoli) has also been observed damaging ripe berries of neem. Beside these oganisms,
an epiphytic plant Cicus religiosa Linnaeus was also found growing on the main branch of neem tree
in Gujarat. The epiphyte may cause considerable damage to the neem tree.
A number of non-insect pests like mites, nematodes, a bird and three species of mammals have also
been found damaging the neem trees. The four species of mites recorded on neem are listed. Of
these, Calipitrlmerus azadirachtae Chanabasvanna is the most important one. Mites prefer only
tender reddish leaves and cause minute scars by feeding on them. These scars are later seen as
brown or white dots on older leaves. The tender leaves get slightly deformed due to mite feeding. In
due course, the twigs and leaves dry out in an extensive. Manner causing severe damage. The mite
has also been reported to cause yellowing in upto 30% of the leaves, Neem seedlings are damaged
by an unidentified mollusc in Gujarat. The pest feeds on the main tender stem above the collar region
by licking the bark which results in the girdling of the main stem and subsequently dies due to the
injuries made to the cambium and conductive tissues.
Seven genera of plant parasitic nematodes, viz., Meloidogyne sp., Pratylenchus sp., Xiphinema sp.,
Helicotylenchus sp., Pratylenchus sp., Trichodorus sp. and Tyianchorhynchus sp. were found in
abundance in the rhizosphere of old neem trees at New Delhi, India (K.K. Kaushal; Personal
Communication). Three species of mammals. viz., Capra hircus, Cephalophus rufilatgus and Lepus
crawshayi have been reported to be damaging neem plantations. Rose-ringed parakeet, Pstittacula
krameri (Scopoli) has also been observed damaging ripe berries of neem. Beside these oganisms,
an epiphytic plant Cicus religiosa Linnaeus was also found growing on the main branch of neem tree
in Gujarat. The epiphyte may cause considerable damage to the neem tree.
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