Cross-species Infestation and Risk of Red Stem Borer, Polyphagozerra Coffeae (Nietner, 1861) (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) in Sandalwood Agroforestry
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/ija.2026.28.01.03Keywords:
Indian sandalwood, Santalum album, Red stem borer, Agroforestry, Host rangeAbstract
Globally, the economic potential of Indian sandalwood (Santalum album L.) has attracted increasing interest from countries, government agencies, and industries, leading to significant investments in its cultivation and trade. In India, species has undergone a transition from a strictly protected forestry resource to an agroforestry crop. “However, multidimensional challenges including limited availability of quality planting material, inadequate awareness regarding cultivation practices, complex trade regulations, and the emergence of new pests and diseases continue to hinder the large-scale adoption of this species. “Polyphagozerra coffeae, once considered a minor pest, has emerged as a major threat” over the last decade has started causing severe damage in large-scale plantations, often going undetected during early stages due to lack of awareness about its biology and symptoms of infestation. This review presents a comprehensive overview of P. coffeae with emphasis on its pest status shift, biology, damage symptoms, host range, and distribution, particularly in the context of sandalwood plantations. The pest's occurrence in countries currently expanding S. album cultivation raises concerns over its cross-border threat potential. “Because sandalwood is extensively utilized for medicinal and aromatic purposes, indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides is undesirable, making Integrated Pest Management (IPM) the most suitable management approach. “Key strategies for this are early pest identification and detection, host plant monitoring, plantation hygiene, intercrop planning, Visual diagnostic features and field-level indicators are also provided to aid growers in timely and accurate identification. The insights presented aim to support sustainable sandalwood cultivation and mitigate the growing risks posed by P. coffeae in diversified agroforestry systems.
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