Question

Parrot beaking is caused by mirid in

• A. Mung bean
• B. Sorghum
• C. Sesame
• D. Cotton

Hint:

Associate "parrot beaking" directly with unequal lock development in cotton bolls caused by the selective feeding of mirid bugs on developing seeds.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Sucking pests of crops, especially those belonging to the family Miridae (Hemiptera), cause unique physiological and structural deformities in plants by injecting toxic salivary secretions during feeding.
"Parrot beaking" is a highly specific physical deformity observed in cotton bolls due to the feeding of mirid bugs.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Mirid bugs (such as Creontiades dilutus and other mirid species) are major sucking pests of Cotton.
When these bugs feed on very young, developing cotton bolls, they insert their needle-like stylets to suck the sap from the developing seeds inside the boll locks.
The feeding activity destroys the developing seeds in one or more locks, while the uninfested locks continue to grow normally.
This unequal growth and development of the locks within the same boll cause the boll to curve or bend sharply toward the damaged side.
The resulting deformed, hook-like boll strongly resembles a parrot's beak, which is why this symptom is universally called "parrot beaking" or "hooked bolls."
Such bolls fail to open properly, leading to poor lint quality and significant yield loss.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, parrot beaking is caused by mirid bugs in Cotton.