Abstract

Mass build up of a bug, Udonga montana on bamboo in natural forests and plantations of teak, coffee, and pepper was noticed at Wyanad, Kerala State in 1991 and 1992. This insect fed on the 'milk' of developing bamboo seeds leading to the formation of chaff. The eggs were laid in groups among the flower heads and the nymphs were noticed to remain in litter on the forest floor. When full-grown, the bugs migrated to fresh patches of flowered bamboo. After the flowering seasons of bamboo (from December to May) was over, the swarms remained on miscellaneous agricultural and forest plants in the locality for over seven months without any trace of feeding or breeding. Two species of birds viz., the 'common mynah' (Acridotheres tristis) and the 'babbler' (Turdoides caudatus) were noticed to feed on the bugs