Impact assessment of fruit predation by Scutellera perplexa Westwood on the reproductive allocation of Jatropha

Present study focused on the fruit feeding behavior of insect predator Scutellera perplexa Westwood, its impact and degree of injury to the developing fruits and seeds of Jatropha. The study revealed that S. perplexa was synchronized with the phenology of Jatropha and responded when fruits were available. The predator completed its life cycle exclusively on Jatropha curcas and caused severe damage to developing fruit by sap sucking, consequently led to premature fruit abortion, significant reduction in fruit and seed size and subsequent yield. Fruit feeding also caused dark ‘patch’ formation on the pericarp, which hampered seed development and initiated premature rupturing of pericarp.