Resistance to fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) and tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis antonii (Sign.) in certain wild Psidium species.

Five wild species of Psidium viz., Psidium cattleianum lucidum, P. chinensis, P. friedrichsthalianum, P. molle and P. quadrangularis were evaluated for resistance to fruit fly [Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel)] and tea mosquito bug (TMB) [Helopeltis antonii (Sign.)], during 2002-04. Significant variations were recorded among species in their reaction to pests. Two species viz., P. chinensis and P. quadrangularis were resistant to fruit fly (<10% fruit damage) while P. quadrangularis was immune. Psidium . molle and P. cattleianum were resistant to tea mosquito bug. Pest incidence was correlated with fruit biochemical components viz., total soluble solids (TSS), total sugars, vitamin C and acidity. The TSS and total sugars were positively correlated with fruit fly infestation while acidity was negatively correlated. The TMB incidence did not exhibit significant correlation with any of these parameters.