Tanaostigmodes cajaninae LaSalle sp. n. (Hymenoptera: Tanaostigmatidae), a potential pest of pigeon pea in India

Tanaostigmodes cajaninae LaSalle sp. n., the larvae of which feed in pods of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), is described. This insect, which also feeds on the weeds Atylosia spp. and Rhynchosia spp., has reached pest status on ICRISAT's research farm in Andhra Pradesh, India, where more than half of the pods on the late-maturing pigeon pea crops may be infested. However, surveys of the crops in farmers' fields in India showed that, although this insect is widespread, it is not yet a serious pest. The abnormal populations of this insect on the ICRISAT research farm appear to be associated with an abundance of its wild hosts, the availability of pigeon pea pods for many months in each year and the use of endosulfan, which does not control the pest but reduces its parasites. The potential for T. cajaninae to become a major pest in farmers' fields is discussed, and control measures are suggested