Research Article 
Evaluation of Relative Host Preference of Batocera rufomaculata De Geer on Different Age Stages of Jackfruit Trees
K.U. Ahmed, M.M. Rahman, M.Z. Alam, M.M. Hossain and M.G. Miah
Asian Journal of Scientific Research, 2014, 7(2), 232-237.
Abstract
The study on host preference of Batocera rufomaculata De Geer is of great interest, because it is a polyphagous pest and preferred middle aged jackfruit trees. In this study the incidence of Batocera rufomaculata De Geer in relation to different age groups of Jackfruit trees was evaluated. The investigation was done in Gazipur, Gaibandha and Khagrachhari districts of Bangladesh. Host preference of Batocera rufomaculata De Geer among five age groups (<10, 10-20, 21-30, 31-40 and >40 years) of jackfruit trees was conducted during 2009-2011 in farmers’ orchards. For different age groups were considered as treatments and the three districts were considered as replications. The trunk infestation was the highest (45.87%) in Gazipur for age group 10-20 years which was statistically identical (45.06%) with age group 21-30 years. The lowest infestation was 21.38% for the age group of above 40 years. However, between other two districts the infestation was the highest (27.97%) in Gaibandha in 10-20 years age group which is statistically similar (26.65%) with 21-30 years age group. The lowest infestation was found in below 10 years group (3.81%). In Khagrachhari where the highest infestation was 27.16% in 21-30 years age group and the lowest (17.06%) was in age group below 10 years. The order of host age preference was 10-20>21-30>31-40>below 10 and >above 40 years.
ASCI-ID: 8-317