Insect herbivores and their natural enemies in the mangals of the Andaman and Nicobar islands

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Abstract
The mangroves of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were extensively surveyed for their insect herbivore—natural enemy complex. A total of 197 species of herbivores, 43 species of hymenopterous parasitoids and 36 species of predators were found in the mangals of these islands. This forms the most extensive listing of herbivorous insects definitely associated with mangroves in the Indian region. In addition to some species that are probably mangrove specialists we have found some serious pests of crop plants which utilise various species of mangroves as alternative host plants. We also present consolidated lists of the insect phytophages so far recorded from the mangals of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and mainland India.