Abstract

Monthly observations and collections were made in a 10-ha plantation at Kottappara in 1979-81. Occasional observations were also made on isolated standing trees at Peechi. Some 34 species of insects belonging to the orders Lepidoptera (3 species), Coleoptera (25 species) and Hemiptera (6 species) were collected and identified. Observations of damage (mostly defoliation) are briefly reported. Most damage was caused by 4 species (Epiplema fulvilinea, a lepidopteranTingis beesoni, a hemipteranand the coleopterans, Calopepla leayana and Xyleborus fornicatus) . It is suggested that these could build up to pest proportions in Kerala. Of the 34 insects recorded, 29 were new records on G. arborea