First Report of Stem Borer (Xylotrechus smei) Occurrence on Red Sanders Plantations of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, India

This communication presents the first documented case of the stem borer Xylotrechus smei (Cerambycidae: Coleoptera) infesting red sanders in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, India. The pest was detected in red sanders plantations located in Dharmapuri and Tenkasi districts of Tamil Nadu, as well as in Surat, Navsari, and Tapi districts of Gujarat, India, during August 2023. In both regions, young red sanders trees aged between 2 to 16 years were affected, with incidence levels varying from 2.24% to 10.86% in the affected plantations. Signs of infestation include the presence of galleries, bore holes in cut stems, complete drying, and mortality of the trees. Initially, larvae feed on the bark, and as they mature, they tunnel through the cambium and wood, impeding nutrient flow and leading to tree mortality. The larvae's deep tunneling within the wood makes them difficult to eradicate with pesticides. Adult beetles typically emerge in peak numbers during April to May and November to December, coinciding with their mating period and selection of host plants for egg-laying. This report aims to outline the damage caused by the stem borer in red sanders and document ongoing monitoring efforts to support interim management strategies.