Record of ber butterfly, Leptotes plinius fabricius, 1793 (Lycanidae: Lepidoptera) on ber and its population dynamics in Punjab, India

Surveys were carried out during 2015 to 2021 in the ber growing regions of Punjab, India to study the status of insect pest infestation in Indian jujube (ber). Roving surveys were conducted in the central zone, arid irrigated zone, Kandi area and Bet area of Punjab along with fixed plot surveys in Fruit Research Farm of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, Punjab, India. During June-September, severe damage of larvae of a ber butterfly was observed which was later on identified as Leptotes plinius Fabricius. Damage of larval stage of this butterfly was observed on ber leaves and inflorescence in Ropar district of Punjab and the Fruit Research Farm, PAU, Ludhiana. Larval population ranged between 0.24 to as high as 42.5 larvae per 100 leaves. Similarly, leaf damage of up to 68% was observed during peak activity period of this insect-pest on ber leaves. Peak activity of this pest in 2015-16 was observed during first week of July, in 2017-19 during third week of July, in 2020 during second week of July, and in 2021 during third week of July. This is the first report of field infestation by L. plinius on ber from Punjab.