Question

Of late, the damage by gall fly, Lasioptera falcata has been on the rise in

• A. Pumpkin
• B. Tapioca
• C. Bitter gourd
• D. Sorghum

Hint:

Associate the dipteran gall midge Lasioptera falcata directly with longitudinal stem galls in bitter gourd vines.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Agricultural pests are often host-specific. Identifying the host range of lesser-known or emerging pests is key to designing effective Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Lasioptera falcata is commonly known as the bitter gourd gall fly or stem gall midge.
It belongs to the family Cecidomyiidae (Diptera).
Recently, this pest has emerged as a major threat to Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) cultivation in several parts of India.
The adult female fly lays eggs on the tender stems of the bitter gourd plant.
Upon hatching, the larvae bore into the stem tissue and feed internally.
Their feeding triggers abnormal tissue growth, resulting in elongated, longitudinal galls on the vine stems.
This disrupts the transport of water and nutrients, leading to stunted plant growth, leaf yellowing, reduced fruiting, and vine breakage under wind pressure.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, the damage by Lasioptera falcata has been on the rise in Bitter gourd.