Status of Shoot and Fruit Borer, Conogethes spp. (Crambidae: Lepidoptera) in Asia: Central, South, and the Southeast

An attempt has been made in this chapter to determine status of Conogethes moths in Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Island countries. The landscape of these countries includes species from the Oriental and Palearctic regions. This region is rich in moth including Conogethes diversity as revealed by entomological experditions. This region serves as an important natural reservoir for not only host plants of Conogethes moths but their species itself. Further, the status of species under Conogethes and related genera in this region has remained largely uncertain. The chain of Islands that constitute Andaman and Nicobar, Maldives, and Lakshadweep may be a pathway for Conogethes species distribution both inside and outside the region. This region needs expeditions for gathering information on crambids including Conogethes and native parasites, parasitoids, and predators. Growers in this region need to adopt newer and environmental friendly methods against Conogethes spp.