Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 ISSN 0975-1963 49

Brought to you by

Agri Life CONTENTS ’s largest manufacturers of BioPesticides www.agrilife.in Bt-K, Bt-I, Azadirachtin, Karanjin, Annonin, Trichoderma, Beauvaria, Metarhizium, Verticillium, Paecilomyces etc.

Page No Page No

Editorial ...... 50 Reduviids of Gorakhpur ...... 69

Trichogramma chilonis ...... 51 Organic tomatoes - pests and yield ...... 71 Parasitoid on predator ...... 53 Aleuroidicus on ornamental Mosquitoes of Athikulam ...... 55 plants ...... 72

Pigeonpea pollinators ...... 56 Uzi traps ...... 73

Egg size variability in Talicada. 58 Mosquitoes in paddy fields ...... 74

Noctuid of Kashmir ...... 59 Fruit on Annona...... 78

Management of citrus Earhead bug on sorghum ...... 81 leaf miner ...... 62 Atherigona on sorghum ...... 84 Green scales on Coorg mandarin ...... 63 succession on chickpea ...... 88 Fruit sucking moths ...... 64 Spodoptera on soybean ...... 90 Predator longevity on Mealy bug on medicinal Helicoverpa ...... 66 plants ...... 92 Predator longivity on Biology of rice gall midge ...... 95 Amarasca...... 67

Silkworm pupal proteins ...... 68 50 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 51

Editorial Congratulations I have taken over as the Director of the National Bureau of Agriculturally Congratulations to Dr. Abraham Verghese Important (NBAII) and hence there is a change in address (FRES) London, our Honorable Editor for (NBAII, P.B. No. 2491, HA Farm Post, Bellary Road, Hebbal, having been selected as the Director, National Bangalore - 560 024). In a recent editorial meet, we have decided to Bureau of Agriculturally Important Insects, invite short notes only through e-mails and on my behalf Mrs. Viyolla Bangalore. Pavana Pinto would coordinate the editorial matters while Dr. A.K. All people associated academically and Chakravarthy's office would continue as usual. personally with him, know Dr. Verghese as a knowledgeable, conscientious person whose One of the important changes taking place these days in print journals contributions to the field of Entomology are numerous and is the shift to soft versions for reasons of convenience and cost. With invaluable. His ideas and words are a source of inspiration to researchers becoming net-savvy, this shift is only to be expected. many. Always with an intention to reach out and deliver the best Insect Environment is already hosted by the CABI in a PDF format of laboratory results to the farmers, he has relentlessly for their subscribers. But soon Insect Environment is also supported the best of science to the needy. Insect Environment contemplating an online version. From hard to soft is always a hard wishes him and his team the best. decision! Hon. Editor: Dr. A,K.Chakravarthy, The Insect Study and Conservation Network (ISCN), which facilitates Publisher: Mr. Sridhar, Navbarath Publications, the editing of Insect Environment completes 18 years this year. This Editorial Coordinator: Mrs. Viyolla Pinto and the editorial team at Insect Environment was started when we the editors (Abraham Verghese and A.K. Chakravarthy) and the Publisher (S. Sridhar) were far younger! Well, we still are, but would like a still younger lot to move into our network on the editing mode. Dr. K. Sreedevi (IARI, New Delhi) and Mrs. Some biological observations on field-collected strain Viyolla are two such youngsters. May be volume 19 will have its of Trichogramma chilonis Ishii at fluctuating and constant temperatures surprises and versions in store for all of you. Change is always for better and Insect Environment will grow for the best with change, Arun Baitha definitely to cater to insect study and conservation. Division of Crop Protection Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Rae Bareli Road, Lucknow - 226 002, Uttar Pradesh, India Abraham Verghese The most elaborate attempts to brings about pest control by rearing large Hon. Editor number of entomophagic insects and releasing them, have been with Trichogramma (Metcalf et al., 1951). Trichogaramma spp. is being traditionally reared on numerous factitious hosts, often stored product pests such as host such as Corcyra cephalonica Stainton, Sitotroga cerealella (Oliver) and Ephestia kuehniella Zeller. The rearing of these is Log on to www.currentbiotica.com trouble free, economical, where optimum temperature and humidity are generally maintained to maximize production and prevent discontinuity in An on-line journal edited by rearing, at the risk of producing individuals which are poorly adapted for Dr. K. Sreedevi with IE editors as advisors field conditions and vagaries of weather. Trichogramma spp. in the sugarcane field copes with both seasonal and daily fluctuation in temperature. In addition, conditions may vary between the base and 52 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 53 canopy of sugarcane, and between the upper and lower surfaces of when these conditions changed, previously well-adapted strains were leaves. An attempt was made to study influence of fluctuating and constant longer advantageous. temperatures on biological attributes of T.chilonis. Adult emergence was observed as 92.99 and 86.57 % in fluctuating and Sugarcane adapted wild strain of T. chilonis Ishii was collected from eggs constant temperatures, respectively. It was found that adult emergence of sugarcane internode borer, Chilo sacchariphagus indicus (Kapur) at was higher than in fluctuating temperature because the parasitoid the Institute farm in the month of September, 2007. Newly emerged mated withstood high and low temperature, as in sugarcane field. females of wild strain of T. chilonis were kept singly in glass vials. The The female emergence recorded (78.19% in fluctuating temperature) was females were fed on fine streaks of honey-water solution (1:1 v/v). Each higher than that in constant temperature (57.30%). Constant temperature female of T. chilonis was offered 100 eggs (eggs of Corcyra cephalonica was reported to affect the sex ratio of Trichogramma chilonis. Parker and were glued on trichocard) on the first day for 24 h and 75 eggs on Pinnel (1971) recorded a significant increase in the sex ratio of T. subsequent days till it died. Before introducing a fresh trichocard, the evanescens in semi-natural conditions. The poor effectiveness of previous one was removed to another glass vial. Daily counts on survival Trichogramma in the Soviet Union was attributed mainly to breeding at females, number of eggs laid by a female (fecundity) and number of adult constant temperature (Stark, 1944). Reduction in ecological adaptability and female emergence was recorded. The two set of experiment was or hardiness in T. chilonis was due to provision of stable, optimum conducted. In one set of experiment in BOD at constant temperature (28 condition of rearing. In general, it is not possible to maintain field quality ± 20C and 70 ± 5% RH ) and second set of experiment at fluctuating while simultaneously increasing rearing quantity.The fitness in one temperature (22-320C and 60-70% RH) in the laboratory. There were ten environment (field conditions) was lower than the second environment replications in each set of experiment. (laboratory condition). Given a long-term programme of field release, one The mean longevity of T.chilonis at fluctuating temperatures and constant efficient approach to optimizing effectiveness is to sequentially establish temperature was 3.2 and 6.59 days, respectively (Table 1). It showed a new strain (population), with old strain (population) discarded once they profound influence on the longevity of T.chilonis in fluctuating temperature. have evolved beyond the optimum. The fecundity in fluctuating temperature was recorded as 69 as higher References: than that contant temperature (56.25). It was found that the decreased longevity at fluctuating temperatures compensated for increase fecundity. Metcalfe, C.L., Flint, W.P and Metcalfe, R.L.1951. Destructive and Useful Insects, McGraw Hill Book Co., New York. The wild strain showing a high degree of genetic variability, readly accepted laboratory hosts and flourished even in the first generation at Parker, F.D. and Pinnel, R.E. 1971. J. Econ. Ent., 64: 80-85. fluctuating temperature as compare to constant temperature. Stark, V.1944. Proc. Lenin.Acad. Agric. Sci. USSR, 9: 26-27. Adaptation to captivity generally increased productivity but at a cost of low quality. Wild strain of T.chilonis were well-adapted to the field conditions, Record of a parasitoid, Homalotylus hemipterinus (De Stefani) on an aphid predator Cheilomenes sexmaculatus (Fabricius) Table 1. Biological attributes of Trichogramma chilonis at Thania Sara Varghese*, T. M. Bharpoda, Vipin Chaudhary* fluctuating vs constant temperatures and P. K. Borad Department of Entomology, B. A. College of Agriculture Temperature Mean ± SE Anand Agricultural University, Anand - 388 110 India *Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Longevity Fecundity Adult Female Boriavi - 387 310, Anand, India (days) emergence emergence (%) (%) Predatory coccinellids play a significant role in biological control of aphids. Unusual death of coccinellid predator grubs, Cheilomenes sexmaculatus Fluctuating 3.2 ± 0.60 69.00 ± 4.86 92.99 ± 5.27 78.19 ± 4.04 (Fabricius) was observed during February 2012 in an aphid infested temperature (80-90/plant) field of Ashwaganda (Withania somnifera Dunal) at Medicinal Constant 6.59 ± 0.64 56.25 ± 6.66 86.57 ± 7.84 57.30 ± 8.60 and Aromatic Plants Farm of AAU, Anand. There was no previous history temperature of any insecticide spray in the area which can be attributed to be the root 54 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 55

Diversity of mosquitoes in an agroecosystem of Athikulam village, Virudhunagar district, Tamil nadu. J. John Wilson and S. P. Sevarkodiyone Post-graduate and Research Department of Zoology, Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College, Sivakasi.Tamil Nadu, India

Fig. 1: Parasitized grub Fig. 2: H. hemipterinus The study was conducted in Athikulam a typical rural and agro based area located in Srivilliputhur Taluk, Virudhunagar district. The study was carried cause for predator death. It was noticed that large numbers of adult out for a period of 6 months from September 2011 to February 2012. Four parasitoids emerged out from C. sexmaculatus. sites were selected on the basis of the location of breeding habitats and Further, it was observed that parasitized grubs were not active or moribund the availability of vertebrate hosts for the mosquitoes. The method and slightly swollen than the normal grubs. The colour of the parasitized adopted by Pandian and Chandrasekaran (1980) was used to record the grubs was lighter in comparison to normal ones. They aggregated on diversity of mosquitoes. All the preserved wild–caught mosquitoes were the upper surface of the top leaves of the plant (Fig 1). Sometimes, the identified up to species level by the Entomologists, Centre for Research dead grubs were found hanging from the top portion of the plant in Medical Entomology (ICMR), Madurai. resembling “tree top” symptom. Within 2-3 days of parasitization, the grub A total of 22 species of mosquitoes belonging to 5 genera namely Aedes, became brittle and the internal contents got dried up. On dissection of Anopheles, Armigeres, , and Mansonia were collected and recorded the parasitized specimens, the immature stages were observed. (Table. 1). Among the five genera of mosquitoes the genes Culex The parasitoid that emerged from the grub belongs to family viz., represented the maximum number of species followed by Anopheles, Encyrtidae (Chalcidoidea: Hymenoptera). The species of the parasitoid Aedes, Mansonia and Armigeres. Totally 3370 mosquitoes were collected was identified as Homalotylus hemipterinus (De Stefani) (Fig. 2) which during the study period. The species diversity recorded from the study was earlier described from India as Homalotylus eyetelweinii (Ratzeburg). period was higher in the month of December with rich biodiversity index This is a gregarious endoparasitoid on the grubs of coccinellid beetles (0.90) than the other five months of study period. The difference in the and does not parasitize the adults. The adult parasitoids are small black diversity may be due to the availability of different types of habitats due to insects with middle legs possessing a typical white colour with 5 tarsal mismanagement of ecosystem and application of agricultural practices segments and a spur which are characteristics of the Encyrtid family. The (Pandian et al., 1997). terminal segments of the antennae are also white in colour. Four to five Table 1. Species composition of the mosquitoes recorded in the study parasitoids emerge from a single coccinellid grub making multiple exit area during the study period (September 2011 - February 2012). holes on the grub and the number of exit holes is exactly the number of Name of the Species Species number (collected) Total adults emerge that. Sep Oct Nov Des Jan Feb The Homalotylus is a dominant group of parasitoids parasitizing -11 - 11 - 11 - 11 -12 -12 grubs and pupae of predatory coccinellids found in association with mealy bugs, soft scales and aphid colonies. Based on the review of literature, Aedes aegypti 23 32 45 61 17 4 182 H. hemipterinus was reported for the first time from Gujarat. Since Aedes albopictus 00280010 coccinellid predators play an important role in biological control of Aedes lineatopennis 000160016 economically important insects like aphids, mealy bugs, scales etc; mass death of this predator due to parazitisation will affect the natural control of Aedes pallidostriatus 083200031 sucking insect pests. Aedes vittatus 0305008 The authors gratefully acknowledge Dr. Mohammed Hayat, Department Anopheles barbirostris 00009556151 of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University for identification of the parasitoid. Anopheles pallidus 0 4 10 19 0 0 33 56 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 57

Anopheles peditaniatous 000130013 Table 1: Peak activity of pollinators in a day Anopheles subictus 50 107 48 68 76 82 431 Activity period (h) No. of pollinators visited / plant Anopheles tesculates 0005005 I II III Mean Anopheles vegas 0008008 8:00 - 10:00 26 24 22 24.00 Armigeres subalbatus 0 0 28 92 0 0 120 10:00-12:00 37 33 34 34.67 Culex bitaeniorhynchus 007260033 12:00-14:00 32 33 29 31.33 Culex fuscocephalus 0005005 14:00-16:00 23 22 23 22.67 Culex gelidus 233 262 115 57 69 51 787 16:00-18:00 13 15 12 13.33 Culex infula 00480012 Culex pseudovishnui 0 0 22 23 0 0 45 Table 2 : Peak activity of different species Culex quinquefasciatus 337 264 203 87 131 55 1077 Activity period (h) Apis spp Megachile spp Others Culex tritaeniorhynchus 0 0431197959300 8:00 - 10:00 11.00 7.00 6.00 10:00-12:00 17.33 12.00 5.33 Culex vishnui 014213700 72 12:00-14:00 12.33 15.67 3.33 Mansonia annulifera 0033006 14:00-16:00 9.33 7.33 7.00 Mansonia uniformis 0 4 11 10 0 0 25 16:00-18:00 6.00 4.00 3.33 Total 643 698 565 690 467 307 3370 No. of Species 4 9 15 21 6 6 Biodiversity index () 0.58 0.68 0.80 0.90 0.80 0.79 References: Pandian R.S., V. Vanithavalli, R. Tamilselvan, and A.C. Manoharan, 1997. Proceedings of the 2nd symposium on vector and vector borne diseases. pp. 194-201. Pandian, R.S and M. K. Chandrashekaran, 1980.. Oecologia (Berl) 47: 89- 95.

Studies on activity of flower visitors in pigeonpea pollination

Subhash B. Kandakoor, B.S. Rajendra Prasad, Fig. 1: Activity of pollinators during different hours S.C. Topagi and A.K. Chakravarthy Department of Entomology, UAS, GKVK, Bangalore, India. and nectar are however accessible to insects other than bees, requiring Pigeonpea, Cajanus cajan L. is one of the major grain legume crops grown the separation of pollinators from other visitors. The present study provides in the tropics and subtropics. Pigeonpea flowers are self compatible information on the insect visitors to pigeonpea flowers. and are believed to be self-pollinated and very little information exists on the relationships between flowering insects and many plants species. It Ten species of insects visited flowers of pigeonpea during the study is known that generally anthophilous insects and bees in particular period. Of these, majority species belonged to the order Hymenoptera increase the fruit and seed yields of many plants species. Cajanus cajan (Apidae, Megachilidae, Chrysididae and Scoliidae). Megachile spp, Apis flowers have a bright corolla and produce nectar and pollen. The pollen spp, Xylocopa spp were frequent visitors of pigeonpea flowers. 58 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 59

The study was conducted at the fields at the Gandhi Krishi Vignyaan Micrometry calibration value = No. of coinciding stage Kendra campus during the months of November and December 2012. micrometer × 10 Peak activity period was observed for 3 days and result showed two peak No. of coinciding ocular micrometer device (Fig. 1) periods in a day. Honey bee species were observed from morning *Length to evening with a peak from 10.00 h to 12.00 h and from 12.00 h to 14.00 **Breadth h Megachile spp was more active. Along with these some Amegilla and vespidae spp were active. Before 10 h and after 16 h the pollinator activity Note - All the eggs were observed under low power microscopy was found to be very low (Table 1and 2). distance and for a longer time. Adults feed on nectaries of the surrounding A report on variability in egg size and shape of butterfly flowering plants. Talicada nyseus using micrometry In the present study we examined the egg size of T. nyseus and recorded the variations among the hatched and unhatched eggs by micrometry. A Kunal Ankola, Arun Prakash, Vaishnavi N., V.K Supriya., M.R. Rajas and H.P Puttaraju. total of 10 hatched and unhatched eggs were taken for the study. The Division of Biological Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, eggs are spherical in shape with a spiny surface. There is a slight Bangalore University, Bangalore - 560056 , India depression at the center with a dark spot. The larvae cuts open the center of the egg and make a hole to emerge. On hatching, the shape of some Talicada nyseus G. (: Lycaenidae) is abundantly found in the peninsular areas, Maharashtra, Punjab and the foothills of the Himalayas. eggs changes from spherical to elliptical oval. The variation recorded by The larvae of this butterfly are known to feed on Kalanchoe spp. micrometry is tabulated in table 1. The results obtained reveals that there (Saxifragales: Crassulaceae). The larvae feeds on mysophill tissues of is no much variation in the size of unhatched eggs. However some of the the host plants. T. nyseus is a weak flier and cannot fly for a longer hatched eggs changed their shape from oval to elliptical. This might happen because of larvae struggles out during hatching. Table 1: Variations in the size of the eggs (both hatched and unhatched) of butterfly Talicada nyseus Study of noctuid moths (Lepidoptera) from Kashmir, Individual Shape Size or Individual Shape Size or Himalaya eggs of the Diameter eggs of the Diameter Jagbir Singh Kriti, Mudasir A. Dar1 and Z. H. Khan, egg (in mm) egg (in mm) Division of Entomology, S.K. University of Agricultural Sciences and 1 Spherical 0.259 1 Spherical 0.272 Technology Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar - 191121, India 2 0.259 2 0.255 is the largest family of order Lepidoptera and can be easily identified on the basis of venation of the hind wing, where S- + R is 3 0.278 3 0.239 C 1 separated from RS and is connected with discal cell at the base and the 4 0.242 4 0.242 family is divided into 16 subfamilies (Kristensen, 1985). A collection-cum- 5 0.285 5 0.259 survey tours yielded a total number of 871 individuals referable to 29 species of family Noctuidae from Kashmir Himalaya during 2011-2012. 6 0.268 6 0.278 Permanent slides of different parts were prepared. 7 0.275 7 Elliptical 0.281* 0.236** The specimens were collected with a Mercury lamp trap and killed with ethyl acetate. These species were identified with the help of relevant 8 0.252 8 0.246* literature (Hampson, 1894) and other electronic and non electronic 0.203** sources. The male and female genitalia of the species were dissected 9 0.272 9 0.259* out for confirmation of species identification. The morphological features 0.190** like head, legs, genitalia and antennae were dipped overnight or boiled for 20-30 minutes with 10% KOH solution to get the musculature 10 0.262 10 0.252* sufficiently relaxed. Later on KOH was removed by washing in distilled 0.186** 60 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 61 water for 2 or 3 times. The dissected body parts were transferred to acetic In some noctuids costa was highly differentiated with rows of short spines; acid glacial in another cavity block for 10-15 minutes and finally transferred with a row of short stiff-hair like processes or long and narrow. Cucullus to carbo-xylol for 15 minutes. After clearing the body parts of specimen was present in many species. It was fringed with long setae. Harpe was were mounted finally on a slide in DPX mountant and covered with cover distinct and characteristic in many species, bilobed; thron-like and spine- slip. The drawing of wings was done using camera lucida attached to like. Ampulla was bifurcated; rod-like with a pointed tip; thumb-like and binocular microscope. The photographs of genitalia and other parts were club-shaped. Clavus and Juxta was highly developed. Aedeagus was taken using an Olympus digital camera (CAMEDIA C-7070). long and slender in Calpe emarginata and Hypocala rostrata; long and club shaped in Asota producta, Auchmis inextricata and in genus Agrotis; The present work deals with the Noctuid fauna of Kashmir Himalaya with J-shped Spirama retorta, I-shaped in Trachea auriplena and Mythimna the altitudinal distribution pattern ranging from 1550m to 4500m amsl. sinuasa; L-shaped in Ophiusa tirhaca, swollen at tip in Grammodes Morphological details of the external genitalia considered as a dependable geometrica. Cornuti variable with long spines or small denticles. Vesica tool for species identification and therefore taxonomic studies of thirty Nine was found to vary from species to species. (29) species of family Noctuidae were studied in the present Female genitalia: Most species of noctuld females possessed a long communication from Kashmir Himalaya (Plate 1 & 2). ovipositor fringed with fine setae as in Mythimna nainica, Hypena trigonalis Male genitalia: Of the various parts of the male genitalia studied uncus and Grammodes geometrica. It was short in Hypocala subsatura and showed several modifications of taxonomic importance. The uncus was Speiredonia retorta. It was broad in Aletia l-album and Calpe emarginata; the most prominent structure in this family and was present in all species narrow in , Mythinma sinuasa and Conservula indica. Genital of Noctuidae examined. It was elongated in many species viz., Calpe plates of noctuid females vary in shape being triangular in Calpe emarginata, Triphaena semiherbida, Asota ficus, Callyna siderea, Agrotis emarginata and Artena dotata; rectangular in Hypocala rostrata, ypsilon, Agrotis flammatra , Xestia c-nigrum , Agrotis segetum and Agrotis Conservula indica and Xestia c-nigrum cup-like Hypocala rostrata and putris ; very much elongate in Auchmis inextricata; short in Diptherides Xestia c-nigrum; and sclerotized in Thyas honesta, absent in Speiredonia vigens , Trigonodes hyppasia; pelicious in Asota producta; projecting as retorta. Corpus bursae of varying in shape being globular in Aletia l-album; in Achaea janata or ‘I’- shaped fringed with tufts of hairs on all sides; bean-shaped and elongate in Diptherides vigens; balloon-like in straight and pointed in Aletia l-album. The shape of the uncus was also Grammodes geometrica, Hypocala subsatura and Hypocala rostrata; found to be unique in many sub families. It was beak-like in Hypocala club-shaped in Mythimna nainica; bag-like in , rostrata; sickle shaped Achaea janata, hood-like in Callopistria maillardi, Conservula indica, Xestia c-nigrum and Calpe emarginata, cone shaped and Hypena trigonalis; C-shaped or curved in Mythimna sinuasa and in Hypena trigonalis, oval in Mythinma sinuasa and Artena dotata; bean- Mythimna nainica , J-shaped in Conservula indica; notched or cognate in shaped in Asota producta; Asota ficus; extremely long in Spirama retorta. Spirama retorta; bifid in Ophiusa tirhaca. In most species uncus was Ductus bursae may be long as in Hypocala subsatura, Hypocala rostrata, fringed with short hairs. Valva showed distinct differentiation into costa, Asota ficus, Spirama retorta and Hypena trigonalis short as in Conservula valvula and sacculus. It also presented a wide range of variations. It was indica, Grammodes geometrica and Thyas honesta; flate tube-like well usually long with characteristic apical spines on cucullus. It was long in sclerotized as in Calpe emarginata, Mythinma sinuasa, Aletia l-album and Callopistria maillardi, Agrotis putris; short and broad in Spirama retorta, Mythimna nainica. In some species signum was distinct. It may be with Ophiusa tirhaca; very broad in Hypena trigonalis, Callyna siderea and a patch of short spicules as in Grammodes geometrica or as a patch of Conservula indica, narrow in Asota producta in Triphaena semiherbida bean shaped in Asota producta, two patches as in Hypocala subsatura bifid at tip; beak-like in Hypocala rostrata; leaf like in Auchmis inextricata and Hypocala rostrata; oval in Calpe emarginata, strip like in Hypocala and Hypena trigonalis; were simple in Calpe emarginata and Asota deflorata and 3-4 strips as in Xestia c-nigrum. ficus; L-shaped in Trachea auriplena, with the apical portion swollen as References: in Mythimna sinuasa and Aletia l-album; flatten and broad Agrotis ypsilon, Kristensen, N.P. 1985. Catalogue of the Lepidoptera of Denmark, 6-20. Agrotis flammatra, Xestia c-nigrum and Agrotis segetum; leaf shaped Hampson, G. F. 1894. Fauna of British India Moths, 2 : 1-609. Taylor and Francis with side branches as in Grammodes geometrica. In some species Ltd., London. valvae were fringed with marginal hairs and Corona with pointed spine- like process. 62 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 63

Management of citrus leaf miner, Phyllocnistis citrella treatment (6.13%) followed by thiodicarb (6.00%), deltamethrin (7.30%), Stainton in citrus nursery imidacloprid (7.97%) and methomyl (8.00%). After second spray, the trend remained almost the same with profenophos (2.20%) and thiodicarb K. Shivaramu* and G. Karunakaran (3.83%) emerging as superior treatments closely followed by others. After Central Horticultural Experiment Station, Chettalli-571248, third spray, the per cent infestation had drastically come down, to the Kodagu, Karnataka, India tune of 85-90 per cent in all the treatments. Based on the efficacy *Present address: Division of Plant Genetic Resources, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore-560089, India recorded after third spray, deltamethrin (2.00%), profenophos (2.50%), methomyl (3.00%) and imidacloprid (3.50%) were the most effective Citrus leaf miner, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Phyllocnistidae: treatments against citrus leaf miner. Another interesting observation was Lepidoptera) is a major pest of citrus plants, especially in nursery. Larvae that neem oil performed almost on par with chemicals by resulting in cause damage by feeding under the epidermal layer of tender leaves 5.00 per cent infestation during different sprays. Considering the safety resulting in silvery appearance. An experiment was conducted at the of neem oil to environment and natural enemies, it is recommended to Central Horticultural Experiment Station (IIHR) Chettalli, Kodagu (Latitude: include neem oil as a component of IPM of citrus leaf miner. Combining 0 0 12.38 N ; Longitude: 75.64 E; Altitude: 609 MSL) during 2008-2010 to yellow sticky traps and neem oil would be an effective IPM (Parvatha evaluate the efficacy of nine insecticides including a neem based one Reddy et al., 2001). against leaf miner in the nursery of Coorg mandarin (Citrus reticulata). Treatments were imposed in a nursery bed consisting of about 5000 Reference: plants. There were 100 plants for each treatment with three replications. Parvatha Reddy, P., Abraham Verghese and Krishna Kumar, N. K. 2001. Three sprays were given at 15 days interval and observations on the Integrated pestmanagement in Horticultural Eco-Systems. Pp. 292. extent of infestation were recorded before and after each spray. The results (Table 1) revealed that all treatments were significantly Efficacy of botanicals and insecticides against citrus green superior over control. After first spray, profenophos was the most effective scale, Coccus viridis (Green) (Coccidae:Homoptera) on Coorg Mandarin (Citrus reticulata)

1 2 Table 1: Effect of insecticides on citrus leaf miner, Phyllocnistis citrella K. Shivaramu and K. Gopalakrishna Pillai Central Horticultural Experiment Station Staint in citrus nursery Chettalli-571248, Kodagu, Karnataka, India 1 2 Treatment Per cent infestation after Present address: Division of Plant Genetic Resources, Division of Entomology, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore-89, India Before 1st 2nd 3rd spray spray spray spray Soft green scale, Coccus viridis Green (Coccidae:Homoptera) is an Methomyl (2ml/L) 42.00 8.00 6.13 3.00 important sucking pest of the Coorg mandarin (Citrus reticulata). Nymphs Thiodicarb (2g/L) 40.00 6.00 3.83 4.15 and adults suck the plant sap resulting in defoliation and drying of twigs. They also excrete large quantity of honey dew causing sooty mould Profenophos (2ml/L) 43.00 4.13 2.20 2.50 (Anonymous, 1979). Field experiments were conducted at the Central Imidacloprid (0.3 ml/L) 42.00 7.97 6.00 3.50 Horticultural Experiment Station (IIHR), Chettalli, Kodagu (Latitude: Novaluron (1ml/L) 41.67 9.50 7.17 5.00 12.380N ; Longitude: 75.640E; Altitude: 609 MSL) during 2008-2010 to test Emamectin benzoate (0.25g/L) 40.67 9.00 5.65 4.75 the efficacy of certain botanicals and synthetic insecticides against citrus Neem Oil (3ml/L) 40.33 8.03 6.70 5.00 green scale. There were six treatments with four replications. The treatments were imposed when more than 10 per cent infestation was Deltamethrin (0.5 ml/L) 40.00 7.30 3.92 2.00 observed. Sprays were given at 15 days intervals. The per cent infestation Indoxacarb (0.5 ml/L) 40.33 10.17 8.70 7.51 was recorded before and after each spray. Control 40.00 39.00 33.67 30.50 The results (Table1) shows that all treatments were significantly superior C.D (p = 0.05) NS 1.29 6.89 1.04 to the control. After the first spray, the per cent infestation was lowest in C.V (%) 6.96 1.09 9.34 carbaryl treated plants (9.43%) followed by chlorpyriphos (11.50%) and 64 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 65 ranged from 13.00 to 14.38 with phenthoate, Pongamia soap and neem others are known to occur in India. (Susainathan, 1924 and Ayyar, 1944). soap. The trend was more or less the same after the second spray with Recent increase in area under cultivation of horticultural crops such as carbaryl registering the lowest infestation (4.85%) and there was no pomegranate, sweet orange, guava, custard apple, mango and tomato significant difference among treatments. After third spray, carbaryl in peninsular India has resulted in realizing heavy losses caused by fruit- remained the most effective treatment over others (2.26%). The next best piercing moths. Therefore, an attempt was made to record the species treatments were phenthoate (6.17%), pongamia soap (7.88%) and of fruit sucking in the MPKV, Rahuri vicinity. chlorpyriphos (8.59%). Based on these results, it can be concluded that The field survey was conducted during 2007-08 and 2008-09 at carbaryl is the most effective insecticide against citrus green scale pomegranate orchard of Department of Irrigation and Water Management followed by phenthoate. Since pongamia soap was on par with and citrus orchard of Department of Horticulture, MPKV, Rahuri to record insecticides, it could form a safe and an effective component of soft green scale IPM of Coorg mandarin insted of insecticides. the different species of fruit sucking moth and study the morphology of their probosies. During the survey, eleven species of noctuid moths were Table 1. Effect of chemicals and plant products on citrus collected feeding on pomegranate and sweet orange fruits during the green scale night. Among these, four species belongs to subfamily ophiderinae and Treatments Before spray Per cent infestation after seven species to and were classified as primary and secondary fruit piercing moths on the basis of their feeding habit. Primary st nd rd 1 spray 2 spray 3 spray fruit piercers belongs to genus Eudocima and recorded species were Carbaryl (4g/L) 12.67 9.43 4.85 2.26 Eudocima materna (Linn.), E. fullonia (Clerck) and E. homaena (Hubn.) Chlorpyriphes (2.5ml/L) 15.44 11.50 9.17 8.59 whereas remaining eight species viz. Achaea janata (Linn.), Anomis flava (Fab.), Ophiusa tirhaca (Cram.), Ophiusa caronata (Fab.), Parallelia algira Phenthoate (1ml/L) 13.84 13.00 8.66 6.17 (Linn.), Mocis frugallis (Fab.), Remigia archesia and Achaea serva were Pongamia soap (10g/L) 15.92 14.38 9.75 7.88 recorded as secondary fruit piercers. Among them, E. materna and E. Neem soap(10g/L) 15.87 14.19 13.31 11.40 fullonia were predominant primary piercers whereas, A. janata Linn. was Control 16.41 26.50 37.00 64.19 the important secondary fruit piercer. The secondary fruit piercers appear to be equally important as like the primary piercers as they feed on spoiled CD (P = 0.05%) N.S. 1.51 6.75 5.62 fruits, pick up fungi and bacteria responsible for rotting. CV (%) 27.07 1.44 5.71 Table 1. Primary fruit sucking moths with proboscis length Reference: Sr. No. Species Average length of proboscis Anonymous, 1979. Extension bulletin No.23. Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (ICAR), Bangalore-89, Karnataka, India, pp. 11. of five individual moths (mm) Male Female Fruit sucking moth: Primary and secondary fruit piercing 1. Eudocima materna Linn. 13.22 14.10 moth species in Maharashtra, India 2. Eudocima fullonia Clerck. 15.13 16.20 P. N. Magar Department of Entomology, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, 3. Eudocima homaena Hubn. 13.42 14.40 Rahuri - 413 722, Maharashtra, India The microscopic examination of dissected proboscis revealed the Fruit piercing moths belongs to the family Noctuidae and subfamilies presence of sclerotised blades, erectile barbs, serrations and the tip of Ophiderinae (Primary piercers) and Catocalinae (Secondary piercers). proboscis was sharply pointed. The proboscis of Eudocima fullonia Clerck They causes severe damage to fruits and vegetables by piercing and was longer than the proboscis of other primary piercers. The proboscis sucking the sap. The tip of the proboscis of these moths (primary piercers) of the female moth was longer (16.20 mm) than that of the male (15.13 are armed with chitinised teeth capable of drilling a hole through the skin mm) of E. fullonia (Table 1). The moths drilled holes through the hard of the fruit. Other species of moths use the hole made by the primary skin of pomegranate with a forward to backward motion. It was observed piercers and suck the juice (secondary piercers). The primary piercers that the moths took more than 30 minutes for a single feeding. viz. Othreis (Eudocima) materna, E. fullonia, E. homaena, E. cajeta and 66 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 67

References: Akola during Kharif season of 2010-11. Untreated non-Bt cotton PKV HY- Ayyar. T.V.R. 1944.. Indian J. Ent. 5 : 29-33. 2 was planted in field as well as in pots under laboratory conditions to Susainathan, P. 1924., agric. J. India. 19 : 402-404. collect the pest population eggs and neonates of H. armigera. The clean plastic vials were used for rearing of C. carnea on different preys. A set of ten plastic vials was used for experiment as per treatment a single egg Host longevity - Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) on of C. carnea with known age was transferred. After, hatching individual Helicoverpa armigera larva of Chrysoperla was provided with known number of fresh preys twice Pramod N. Magar a daily. The number of preys consumed and not consumed were recorded Department of Entomology, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, daily. The adults of Chrysoperla carnea were fed with honey, Protinex Akola - 444 104, Maharashtra, India and yeast mixture diet with the help of a sponge. The observations on E-mail: [email protected] various biological parameters were recorded daily as given below. The green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera : The incubation period, larval period was recorded as 2.33, 10.20 days, Chrysopidae) is predominant among the various predacious insect respectively. The Chrysoperla larvae have consumed 240.6 preys i.e eggs species. It is active for throughout the year in India, feeding on various and neonates of Helicoverpa and fecundity recorded was 362.4 eggs/ insect pests of different crops. The larvae are predacious, feeding on the female. The pupal period and adult life period was recorded as 6.40 and eggs and neonates of lepidopterous larvae, nymphs and adults of whitefly, 25.40 days for male whereas 6.33 and 36.26 days for female, respectively. aphids thrips, scale insect, mealy bug, mites etc. (Singh and Narasimhan, The total life period for male Chrysoperla was 45.26 while for female it 1992; Tesfye and Gautam, 2002). Therefore, attempts have been made was 57.40 days (Table 1). to study the biology of Chrysoperla on eggs and neonates of cotton american bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera. References: Singh, S.P. and Narasimham, U. (1992) Indian Chrysopidae Biological Control A laboratory experiment was conducted in the Biocontrol laboratory at the center, National centre for Integrated pest management, Bangalore 34P. Department of Entomology, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Tesfye, A. and Gautam, R.D 2002. Indian J. Ent. 64 (4) : 457 - 464. Table 1: Life history of C. carnea on eggs and neonates of H. armigera Stages Duration in days Host longevity - Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) on cotton Range Mean Pramod N. Magar Egg period 2-3 2.33 Department of Entomology, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Larval period 9-12 10.20 Akola- 444 104, Maharashtra, India First instar 2-3 2.26 The green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera : Second instar 3-5 4.26 Chrysopidae) is predominant among the various predacious insect species. Longevity of the stages of its life cycle is seen to vary on the Third instar 4-5 4.80 host organism the lacewing feeds on. Attempts have been made to study Pupal period Male 6-8 6.40 the biology of Chrysoperla on cotton jassids, biguttula biguttula Female 6-7 6.33 Ishida to study their longevity. Adult longevity Male 23-27 25.40 A laboratory experiment was conducted in the biocontrol laboratory at Female 34-38 36.26 untreated non-Bt cotton PKV HY-2 was planted in field as well as in pots Total life cycle Male 43-48 45.26 under laboratory conditions to collect the pest population of leafhoppers Female 53-58 57.40 A. biguttula biguttula Ishida. Clean plastic vials were used for rearing of Predatory potential 235-244 240.6 C. carnea on nymphs and adults of leaf hoppers. A set of ten plastic vials was used for experiment as per treatment a single egg of C. carnea with Fecundity 334-370 362.4 known age was transferred. After, hatching individual larva of Chrysoperla 68 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 69 was provided with known number of fresh preys twice a daily. The number weight basis for study purposes. The pupa was collected separately of preys consumed and not consumed was recorded daily. The adults of breed wise, reeled and dried in an hot air oven and powdered. The oil C. carnea were fed with honey, Protinex and yeast mixture diet with the was then extracted from the pupal powder by soxhlet apparatus using help of a sponge. The observations on various biological parameters were petroleum ether (A.O.A.C., 1980). recorded daily (Table 1). Table 1 : Percentage of crude protein content of oiled and de-oiled Table 1: Life history of C. carnea on A. biguttula biguttula Ishida silkworm powder obtained from different silkworm breeds Stages Duration in days Silkworm breeds Oiled silkworm pupal De-oiled silkworm pupal powder powder Range Mean Egg period 2-3 2.73 Pure Mysore (PM) 51.87 (46.04) 71.59 (57.49)

Larval period 14-16 15.00 NB4D2 53.23 (46.82) 71.93 (57.96)

First instar 2-3 2.80 PMxNB4D2 52.47 (46.38) 71.55 (57.72) Second instar 5-6 5.40 F. test * * Third instar 6-7 6.40 SEm± 0.128 0.017 Pupal period Male 6-8 6.80 CD at 5% 0.379 0.051 Female 6-7 6.73 Crude protein content was significantly highest (71.93%) in NB D Adult longevity Male 22-25 23.80 4 2 de-oiled pupal powder followed by PM x NB D (71.55%) and it was lowest Female 33-36 35.20 4 2 recorded on PM (71.59%). The observed differences in between silkworm Total life cycle Male 48-51 49.40 breeds of PM, NB4D2 and PM x NB4D2 were statistically on par each other. Female 56-59 57.60 Similarly higher crude protein was observed in case of NB4D2 (53.23%)

Predatory potential 145-152 147.8 followed by PM x NB4D2 (52.47%) and it was significantly lower in PM (51.87%), but they are on par each other in between PM and PM x NB D Fecundity 338-347 342.5 4 2 incase of oiled silkworm pupal powder. In this context, effective use of The incubation period, larval period was recorded as 2.73, 15.0 days, pupae will be of practical relevance to raise the income of farmers respectively. The Chrysoperla larvae have consumed 147.8 preys and besides providing raw materials for various industrial sectors. fecundity recorded was 342.5 eggs/ female. The pupal period and adult life period was recorded as 6.80 and 23.80 days for male whereas 6.70 References : and 35.20 days for female, respectively. The total life period for male Datta, R.K., Majumdar, S.K., Kar, R. and Chinya, P.K., Indian Silk, Chrysoperla was 49.40 while for female it was 57.60 days (Table 1). 32(1) : 4-5. A.O.A.C. 1980, Methods of Analysis. Association of Official Agricultural Protein contents in silkworm pupal powder Chemists, 13Ed., Washington, D.C., 1018. S. Shrikant Chavan and S.G. Aski College of Agriculture, Bijapur - 586 101, UAS, Dharwad, Karnataka, India Reduviid fauna associated with Gorakhpur wetland ecosystem The mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori) pupae is one of the major by- M. Anto Claver, Amit Yaqub, Farheen Fatima and Priya Jaiswal products of sericulture. The silkworm pupa is considered as a waste in College of Agriculture, Bijapur - 586 101, UAS, Dharwad, Karnataka, India silk reeling unit. Pupae are good source of proteins, amino-acids, vitamins, nitrogen, carbohydrates, besides it is rich in oil (Datta. et.al. The multivoltine reduviid predators are abundant in field crops, such as 1993). These constituents of pupae are being used in diverse sectors cotton, lady's finger, ground nut, , chick pea, vegetables, castor for various purposes. The pupa is one of the best sources for and cereals to regulate insect pest population. They usually hibernate in feed (fish and poultry), manures and medicinal purposes. Silkworm pupa the autumn at the adult stage under soil, stone and tree bark (Claver is rich in oil content and 25 per cent oil is extracted from pupae on dry 2011). Usually known as assassin bugs these play an important role in 70 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 71 community ecology, but has received very little attention, as a group of Pest infestation and yield potential of organically grown tomato beneficial predators (Caprils 1990). An attempt was made to record the reduviid fauna found in last eight years at the wet lands near the forest Meena Thakur and S.C. Verma Department of Environmental science, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of areas of Gorakpur district (2004-2012). Horticulture, Nauni, Solan (H.P.), India Table 1 : Reduviid species recorded from Gorakhpur ecosystem Organic cultivation and pest investigations were carried out in the Sub-family Niche Reduviid species experimental farms of Department of the Environmental Science, Leaves Coranus spiniscutis Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Himachal Pradesh during the year 2011. Tomato crop was planted in the month of June with Leaves Cydnocoris gilvus organic inputs in a fallow land. There were six treatments including control Irantha armipus with three replications viz., T1- recommended dose of FYM (farm yard Leaves Polididus armatissimus manure) and spray of turmeric in cow urine, T2 - recommended dose of Leaves Rhynocoris fuscipus vermicompost and spray of extract of Melia azedarach drupes in cow urine, T recommended dose of Azotobacter and spray of extract of Vitex Rhynocoris marginatus 3- negundo in cow urine, T4- compost prepared from municipal solid waste Sphedamolestes sp. and spray of extract of Parthenium hysterophorous in cow urine,

Stenopodinae Leaves Oncocephalus annilipus T5- double the recommended dose of FYM and spray of extract of Melia Pygolyampis foeda azedarach leaves in cow urine and T6 - Control. Spray of plant extracts was done at the appearance of the pest; it was repeated twice at Peiratinae Litter Ectomocoris sp. 15 days interval. The per cent leaf infestation, fruit infestation and yield Ectomocoris casdigera data was recorded. Cleptocoris leptuoides Significantly lowest infestation of tomato fruit by fruit fly (10.38%) and fruit Cleptocoris atomaculatus borer (6.03%) was recorded in treatment T2, whereas, highest was

Reduviinae Acanthaspis megaspila recorded with treatment T4 i.e. 18.82 per cent for fruit fly and 9.18 per cent for fruit borer (Table 1). Treatments T and T were statistically at par with Leaves Edocla sp. 2 5 each other against both the pests. The insecticidal properties of extracts Paralenaeus pyrrhomeles of M. azedarcah leaves and drupes are reported in literature by various litter Rhiginia cruciata workers whereas, the application of vermicompost itself results in Velitra rubropicta unacceptability of the plants to pests and diseases due to uptake of Tirarodes sp. soluble phenolic materials from the vermicompost extract into the plant tissues (Maruti and Sivasubramanian 2011). Chandrakumar et al (2009) Emesinae litter Emesays sp. reported that application of vermicompost in combination with biofertilizers Triatominae Mud wall Triatoma rubrofasciata and neem cake was effective in reducing the shoot and fruit borer Leucinodes orbonalis damage in brinjal. Whereas, organic manures are Twenty one species of reduviids belonging to nineteen genera and seven slow releasing fertilizers and provide both macro and micro nutrients. sub-families were collected. Among them, Coranus spiniscutis was According to a study, increased levels of leucoanthocyanins catechins, predominant. Other highly noticed reduviids were Rhynocoris fuscipus, flavanol, glycosides and phenol carboxylic acids, were reported in FYM Rhynocoris marginatus, Edocla sp, Velitra rubropicta, Oncocephalus treated plots which are responsible for resistance to many pests annilipus, Ectomocoris sp., Emesays sp., Polididus armatissimus. (Lyashenko et al.1982). Recommended dose of Azotobacter and spray of References : V. negundo in cow urine (T3) resulted in 16.59 and 9.13 per cent fruit Carpils M. 1990. Caribbean journal of science edition. University of Puerto infestation of tomato fruit with fruit fly (Bactrocera tau) and fruit borer Rico, Puerto Rico pp. 694. (Helicoverpa armigera), respectively. Azotobacter used as biofertilizer is Claver, M.A. 2011. International Journal of Biotechnology (special issue 2): known to reduce the incidence of pests in crops (Maruti and 127-131. Sivasubramanian 2011). Average per cent infestation by fruit fly (17.40%) 72 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 73 and fruit borer (12.47 %) was statistically more at first interval, whereas, range of ornamentals and shade trees. In India, it was first recorded in second and third intervals though statistically at par with each other but 1993 at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on tapioca. The pest is highly had less values than first interval against fruit fly (15.72, 15.73 %) and polyphagous and attacks around 500 plants in different countries and 280 fruit borer (9.92, 9.13%). Highest yield of 434.15 q/ha was recorded with in India alone. Recently, heavy infestation of the insect was observed in

T2 (Table 1). The application of recommended dose of vermicompost and guava, papaya and several ornamental plants at Bilaspur and spray of Melia azedarach drupes in cow urine can be used for organic Chhattisgarh. The population of white fly adults on guava leaves was production of tomato crop. recorded to vary from 63 to 167 adults per leaf. The pest infests guava, Table 1: Per cent tomato fruit infestation and yield of organically grown papaya, custard apple, almond, Hibiscus spp., , rose, money tomato crop plant and several other ornamental plants shown its preference towards the egg laying in peculiar spiral form on the underside of the leaves. The Treat Fruit fly Fruit borer fruits of papaya were also observed to be preferred by the pest for egg ments Yield laying. Immature and adult stages of the insect have been observed to Sampling intervals Mean Samplingi intervals Mean cause damage to the plants by sucking cell sap, secreting honey dew I I I I I I along with white, waxy material and further creating sooty mould on leaves, 1 2 3 1 2 3 as a result, photosynthetic activities and growth of the plant is adversely (T ) 17.26 12.63 15.12 15.00 12.14 6.05 4.89 7.69 425.52 1 affected. Infested leaves become yellow, dry and drop down finally. The (T 2) 10.57 11.22 9.37 10.38 10.0 3.49 4.6 6.03 434.15 lady bird beetle, Coccinella septumpunctata and Menochilus sexmaculatus (T ) 18.42 17.41 13.97 16.60 12.90 8.28 6.20 9.13 422.59 were also found to be associated with the pest as naturally 3 occurring predator. (T 19.74 17.3 19.43 18.82 12.41 8.48 6.64 9.18 414.44 4) Reference: (T 11.79 15.30 10.88 12.66 8.12 6.20 7.69 7.34 426.66 5) Mani, M. (2010). Karnataka J. Agric. Sci., 23(1): 59-75. Control 26.61 20.48 25.61 24.24 19.25 27.04 24.74 23.67 393.77 Mean 17.40 15.72 15.73 12.47 9.92 9.13 Effect of over ripened sapota fruit as a uzi trap CD( p=0.05) Sampling intervals l= 2.675 Treatment= 3.784 Interaction= S. Shrikant S., Chavan and Aski S.G. 6.554 CD(p=0.05) Sampling intervals=1.855 Treatment= 2.669 College of Agriculture, Bijapur - 586 101, UAS, Dharwad, Interaction= 4.62 CD(P=0.05) = 21.899. Karnataka, India References The uzi fly, Exorista bombycis (Louis), is a serious endoparasitoid of silkworm. Considering the menace of the uzi fly to the sericulture industry, Chandrakumar H.L., Ashok kumar C T, Chakravarthy A K, Kumar N G and Puttaraju T.B. 2009. Current biotica 2(4): 495-500 Table : Comparative performance of sapota fruit with uzi trap and uzi Lyashenko N I, Solody U K G D, Godovany A A, Verzhbitskii V I and Moskal C N trap alone I 1982 Rastenil 14: 373-377 Bandi Sanjay Maruti and P Sivasubramanian 2011 Research journal of Adult trapped Agricultural Sciences 2(3): 787-790. Larval instars Sapota fruit Increase over Uji trap Decrease over with uzi trap uzi trap alone (No.) sapota with uzi (No.) (%) trap (%) First record of the spiralling whitefly on fruit and ornamental plants in Chhattisgarh plains III instar 20.33 ± 3.00 4.43 ± 1.42 7.00 ± 2.00 1.87 ± 0.37 IV instar 29.66 ± 4.52 6.15 ± 1.98 12.66 ± 3.00 2.39 ± 0.89 A.K. Awasthi and R. K. S. Tomar IGKV, TCB College of Agriculture and Research Station, Sarkanda, Bilaspur, V instar 35.00 ± 6.72 8.29 ± 2.19 16.33 ± 4.00 3.32 ± 0.99 Chhattisgarh 495 001, India Total 84.99 ± 14.24 18.87 ± 3.59 35.99 ± 6.49 7.58 ± 2.21 The spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus Russell (Aleyrodidae: Mean + S.D. 27.66 ± 10.76 6.29 ± 2.07 12.00 ± 4.16 2.53 ± 0.99 Homoptera) is a pest of many horticultural crops, as well as an extensive 74 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 75 studies were done to find out suitable methods of control. Third instar to 5000 Season – I fifth instar silkworms were used for this experiment. Uzi trap solution (Sep 2006-Nov 2006) 123456 4000 123456 123456 was prepared by dissolving half a uzi trap tablet in half litre of water. The 123456

123456

123456 trap solution was prepared by dissolving half a uzi trap tablet in half litre 3000 123456 123456

123456 of water. The trap solution was prepared in a plastic container and an 123456 123456 123456 123456 2000 123456 123456 123456 123456 over ripened (waste) sapota fruit was kept in the middle of the trap. Such 123456 12345 123456 123456

123456 123456 12345 123456 123456

123456 123456 12345 123456 123456 traps were placed at the doors and windows of the rearing house. Further, 123456 123456 12345 123456 123456 1000 123456 123456 12345 123456 123456

123456 123456 12345 123456 123456 the number of uzi trapped in them were recorded daily. 123456 123456 12345 123456 123456 123456 123456 12345 123456 123456 0 123456 123456 12345 123456 123456 It is evident from the table that the uzi trap containing ripened sapota fruit A B CDE attracted more number of total flies (84.99 ± 14.24) compared to uzi trap Season – II 2500 123456 alone (35.99 ± 6.49) in all the instars of silkworm rearing. 123456 (Dec 2006-Feb 2007)

123456

123456 2000 123456 123456 123456 123456

12345 123456 123456

12345 123456 123456

12345 123456 123456 Impact of agricultural practices on species diversity 12345 123456 123456 1500 12345 123456 123456

123456 12345 123456 123456 1 2 3 4 123456 12345 123456 123456 123456 123456 12345 123456 123456

K.S. Malar , R. Karthikeyani, R. Gopal and R. Selvaraj Pandian 123456 123456 12345 123456 123456 1&2 1000 123456 123456 12345 123456 123456 123456 123456 12345 123456 123456

Department of Zoology, N.M.S.S.V.N College, Nagamalai, Madurai. 123456 123456 12345 123456 123456 3 123456 123456 12345 123456 123456 123456 123456 12345 123456 123456

PG and Research Department of Zoology,Yathava College, Madurai. 500 123456 123456 12345 123456 123456 4 123456 123456 12345 123456 123456 PG and Research Department of Zoology, American College, Madurai. 123456 123456 12345 123456 123456 123456 123456 12345 123456 123456 0 123456 123456 12345 123456 123456 Diversity in landscape has given room to many species of mosquitoes to A B CDE inhabit the ideal breeding grounds around the agro rural villages of 600 Season – III

Samanar hills Madurai.. The changing monsoon climatic conditions have 123456

123456 500 123456 (March 2007-May 2007) lead to the formation of many small and large water bodies, in the area. 123456 123456 123456

123456 123456 The onset of monsoon seasonal rains influences the mosquito 123456 123456 123456 400 123456 123456 123456 123456 123456 123456

123456 123456 123456 bionomics. Patil and Deepa (2007) have emphasized the influence of 123456 123456 123456

123456 123456 123456 Number of mosquitoes 300 123456 123456 123456 climate change and challenges of vector-borne diseases. 123456 123456 123456 123456 123456 123456

123456 123456 123456

123456 123456 123456 200 123456 12345 123456 123456 123456 Nearly 31 species belonging to five genera of Aedes, Anopheles, Culex, 123456 12345 123456 123456 123456

123456 12345 123456 123456 123456

123456 12345 123456 123456 123456 Armigeres and Mansonia were collected. The species diversity among 123456 12345 123456 123456 123456 100 123456 12345 123456 123456 123456 123456 12345 123456 123456 123456

123456 12345 123456 123456 123456

Aedes, Anopheles, Culex Armigeres and Mansonia were predominant 123456 12345 123456 123456 123456 0 123456 12345 123456 123456 123456 among the paddy cultivated settled farmers of Madurai (Table. 1). During A B CD E the seasonal cultivation of paddy, both diversity and density of of species increased, but species of Aedes albopictus, Anopheles subpictus, 1600

123456

123456

Anopheles peditaeniatus, Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex 123456

123456

123456 tritaeniorhynchus, Culex gelidus and Culex infula proliferated rapidly than 1200 123456 123456

123456

123456 the other species. However during the transplantation period of paddy 123456

123456

12345 123456 and the monsoon rains, higher density of C. tritaeniorhynchus was 800 12345 123456 123456

12345 123456 123456

12345 123456 123456 observed. Similarly the monsoon rains initiated paddy cultivation in many 12345 12345 123456 123456 12345 12345 123456 123456

12345 12345 123456 123456

12345 12345 123456 123456 parts of south India enhanced the mosquito species proliferation and 400 12345 12345 123456 123456

12345 12345 123456 123456

12345 12345 12345 123456 123456 the abundant occurrence of Aedes, Anopheles and Culex species that 12345 12345 12345 123456 123456

12345 12345 12345 123456 123456 were more diverse in the rainy season than during the dry season as 0 12345 12345 12345 123456 123456 observed by Overgaard et al., (2002). Population of mosquito fauna also A B C D E fluctuated with the seasonal dynamics of prevailing climate and vegetation Villages (Reuda et al., 2010). Fig.1: Density of mosquitoes recorded in the study area during different seasons of the study period (from Sep 2006 – Aug 2007) 76 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 77

The onset of summer and during the paddy harvesting period the diversity 11. Aedes (Aedimorphus) vittatus Bigot 1861 + + of species and the density decreased due to the limited water bodies 12. Anopheles (Anopheles) barbirostris Van der Wulp 1884 + - that excited in the study area (Fig. 1). More over C. quinquefasciatus and 13. Anopheles (Anopheles) nigerrimus Giles 1900 + - Armigeres subalbatus were found in abundance when compared with 14. Anopheles (Cellia) pallidus Theobald 1901 + - occurrence of other competing species. On the otherhand a rich biodiversity index (0.86-0.97) emphasized the coexistence of the 31 15. Anopheles (Anopheles) peditaeniatus (Leicester) 1908 + + species that adapted to the structured landscape and developing sub 16. Anopheles (Anopheles) stephensi Liston (1901) + - urban rural agricultural villages of the study area. Narayanasamy et al. 17. Anopheles (Cellia) subpictus Grassi 1899 + + (2008) observed 12 species of mosquitoes belonging to four genera the 18. Anopheles (Cellia) vagus Donitz 1902 + + predominant species was C. quinquefasciatus (47.27%) in the Dindigul 19. Armigeres (Armigeres) subalbatus (Coquillett) 1898 + + urban areas 7. Among the Anophiline, A. subpictus and A. vagus were 20. Culex (Culex) bitaeniorhynchus Giles 1901 + - more in number than the malarial vector An. stephensi but A. culicifacies 21. Culex (Lutzia) fuscanus Wiedemann 1820 + - was found in negligible number (0.03%) and A. aegypti was 3.73% of 22. Culex (Culex) fuscocephalus Theobald 1907 + - the total collection coincides with the present study. In a two year 23. Culex (Culex) gelidus Theobald 1901 + - entomological study at Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh, India for JEV 24. Culex (Lutzia) halifaxii Theobald 1903 + - transmitting vector population five anophiline and 12 culicine species were collected through light trap during dusk. C. gelidus accounted to 69.4% 25. Culex (Culex) infula Theobald 1901 + + and C. tritaeniorhynchus with high abundance appeared to be the most 26. Culex (Culex) pseudovishnui Colless 1957 + + important vectors in the region (Arunachalam et al., 2008). The other 27. Culex (Culex) quinquefasciatus Say 1823 + + species were C. quinquefasciatus and A. subpictus which were 2.7% 28. Culex (Culex) tritaeniorhynchus Giles 1901 + + each. Hence the extensively selected high risk pockets were studied for 29. Culex (Culex) vishnui Theobald 1901 + - future prediction of vectors that transmits the virus. Large numbers of 30. Culex (Culex) whitmorei (Giles) 1901 + - species in changing environment is a major future challenge to determine 31. how biodiversity dynamics, ecosystem processes and abiotic factors interact. Most researchers speculate that mutated virus, absence of herd immunity, lack of vector control, globalization, trade and travel might have Mansonia (Mansonioides) uniformis (Theobald) 1901 + + contributed to the resurgence of the infection (Kalantri et al., 2006). Total 31 13 Table 1. Occurrence of mosquito species diversity of adult and larvae + indicates occurrence in the study area during the study period from Sep 2006 to Aug 2007 - indicates absence

Sl.No. Name of the mosquito species Adult Larvae References: 1. Arunachalam N, Murty USN, Narahari D, Balasubramanian A, Rajendran R, 1. Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linnaeus) + + Philip Samuel P, Thenmozhi V, Paramasivan R and Tyagi BK (2008). (31) 2. Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus Skuse 1894 + + 243-252. ISBN 978-81-7233-541-0. 3. Aedes (Aedimorphus) caecus (Theobald) 1901 + + 2. Kalantri SP, Joshi R and Riley LW (2006). Nat Med J India 19(6): 315-27. 4. Aedes (Neomelaniconion) lineatopennis (Ludlow) + - 3. Narayanasamy, G., Selvaraj Pandian, C., Rajamanickam, S., Elango, S. and 5. Aedes (Aedimorphus) pallidostriatus (Theobald) 1907 + - Appavoo, N.C. 2008. CRME, Scentific publisher, Madurai. 93- 103. 6. Aedes (Aedimorphus) pipersalatus (Giles) + - 4. Overgaard HJ, Ekbom B, Suwonkerd W and Takagi M (2003). Landscape 7. Aedes (Mucidus) scatophagoides Theobald 1901a + - Ecology 18: 605-619. 8. Aedes (Aedimorphus) scutellaris Walker 1859 + - 5. Patil RR and Deepa TM (2007). Climate change: Indian J Occup Environ Med 9. Aedes (Aedomyia) venustipes Skuse 1889 + - 11: 113-5. 6. Rueda LM, Tracy Bram, Henng Chukim, Sung-Tae Chong, Terry A Klein, 10. Aedes (Aedimorphus) vexans Meigen 1830 + - Desmond Foley, Assaf Anyamba, Mathew Smith, Edwin Pak and Richard C Wilkerson (2010). Malaria J., 9:55. 78 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 79

Incidence of fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel (Diptera: loss was 60kg (17.14%) out of 350kg harvested fruits. The mature fruits Tephritidae) on custard Apple, Annona squamosa in were highly prone for infestation than the young, immature fruits; it might Bangalore, Karnataka be due to accumulation of more soluble sugars in the mature fruits compared to the immature fruits. During the day, the adult fruit flies were M. Sudha, H.M. Yeshwanth and N. Aswathanarayana Reddy observed to congregate under the leaves of Terminalia catapa (wild ICAR Network Project on Insect Biosystematics, almond) and Butea monosperma, which are available in vicinity of the Department of Entomology, UAS, GKVK, Bangalore custard apple crop. The Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel is a polyphagous pest having countrywide In cases severe infestation, worker ants of Myrmecaria brunnea carried distribution, and attacks the fruits of mango, guava, sapota, apple, ber, fruit fly maggots to their nest. Apart from ants, neeriids, dolichophodids apricot, plum, peach, pear, pomegranate, fig, banana (Ramani, 1997). The (both Diptera), and Euthalia garuda (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) were also adult flies are brown or dark brown in colour with hyaline wings and yellow found hovering on the affected fruit heaps. legs. The pest is active throughout the year in south India where the The authors are grateful to Dr. C.A. Viraktamath, Principal Investigator, climate is congenial. Here they attack physiologically ripe fruits, whereas ICAR Network Project on Insect Biosystematics, Department of in northern parts of India, it attacks gradually ripening fruits and hibernates Entomology, UAS, GKVK, Bangalore for his constant encouragement and in pupal stage during winter (November to February) (Kapoor, 1993). The for identification of insects. females lay eggs in clusters below the fruit epidermis (1-4 mm deep). Damage to the fruit is caused both by the adult and by the maggots. The References: oviposition puncture made by the adult female on the fruit serves as entry Anonymous, 2007, Hand book of Horticulture: Custard apple. Indian council of to fermenting organisms. The maggots on hatching feed on the internal Agricultural Research, New Delhi. pp. pulp of the fruit and convert the pulp into a bad smelling, discoloured semi- Kapoor, V.C., 1993, Indian fruit flies (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae), Oxford & liquid mass unfit for consumption (Verghese and Rao, 1983). The fruits IBH publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd (Ed. V.C. Kapoor), pp 228. showing brown rotten patches on them also drop to the ground eventually. Jayanthi, P.D.K. and Verghese, A., 1998, Insect Environment, 4(2): 60. The damage is more serious in southern India than in rest of the country Verghese Abraham and Rao, G.S,P., 1983, Indian Journal of Horticulture, 40 (Jayanthi and Verghese, 1998). (3&4): 278-284. Ramani, S., 1997, Biosystematic studies on fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) The custard-apple, Annona squamosa is commonly called as bullock’s with special reference to the fauna of Karnataka and Andaman and heart or bull’s heart and is popular in tropical markets (Anon., 2007). Nicobar, Ph.D. thesis submitted to University of Agricultural Sciences, Insect pests form one of the major limiting factors for its successful Bangalore, p 230. cultivation. Though a number of insects have been recorded, the fruitfly, Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel is one of the major pests infesting custard An outbreak of pentatomid Bug, Udonga montana (Distant) in apple in recent days and causes an economic yield loss of 21%. The Coorg District of Karnataka severe incidence of fruit fly was observed in the custard apple orchard of 1 1 2 N. Aswathanarayana Reddy , H.M. Yeshwanth and R.N. Kenchareddi University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore (UASB) during the month 1ICAR Network Project on Insect Biosystematics, of September 2011. The crop was cultivated under rainfed condition as a Department of Entomology, UAS, GKVK, Bangalore monocrop as well as mixed crop with Anola (amla) and sapota in an area 2 Department of Entomology, College of Forestry, Ponnampet, Coorg district of five hectares. An outbreak of Udonga montana (Distant) (: Pentatomidae), a Out of the 750 kg of custard apple harvested from both pure as well as small bug was observed during July 2011 in coffee plantations of Kaikeri mixed crop during the month of September 2011 in UASB custard apple ( taluk) and Belluru (Somavarpet taluk) of Coorg district. It is brown orchard, 150kgs of fruits (21%) were infested with fruit flies. The infestation in colour with pale reddish markings on the scutellum and measures was more severe in the crop cultivated as monocrop (25%) compared to 12-13mm in length (Garthweite, 1938). In recent years, similar outbreaks mixed crop (17.14%). The fruit yield loss in monocrop was 90 kg (25%) of this insect were observed during 2007-08 in Mudigere area (in out of 400 kg harvested fruits and in mixed cropping system the fruit yield Karnataka) and Ambalavayal, (Kerala) (Mathew & Sudheendrakumar, 80 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 81

1992). This is the second outbreak of the insect during this decade in Occurrence of earhead bug, Calocoris angustatus Leth. on south India. The incidence of the insect in the present outbreak was not rainfed sorghum uniform and was observed only in two coffee plantations in Belluru (about 6 acres) and Kaikeri (about 15 acres) of Somavarapet and Virajpet taluks, D.R. Patel and M.S. Purohit Department of Entomology, N.M. College of Agriculture, respectively. Navsari Agricultural University, Gujarat, India The individuals of the bug congregated on coffee, shade plants, forest Several hemipterous bugs suck the sap of the developing grain, causing plants, weeds and grasses. During rain these bugs took shelter under serious losses to sorghum. Among them, Calocoris angustatus Leth. is the leaves thus getting protection from heavy rains. These bugs did not distributed widely in southern India (Hiremath and Thontadarya, 1984). feed on the plants but were found resting on coffee, pepper, Erythrina The sorghum head bug feeds primarily on the developing grain. Both sp., Dalbergia sp., Grevillea robusta, Delonix regia, Lantana camera, adults and nymphs cause reduction in quality and 30-100% loss in the hedge plants or any other plants or grasses. Due to heavy congregation germination of seeds (Mote and Jadhav, 1990). In view of these, an of bugs, branches of shade trees and other plants were drooping which experiment was conducted to study the seasonal population fluctuation was a common sight in the plantation. Workers in the plantation of bug. mentioned that the bugs interfered with normal cultural operations, as The study of incidence of the earhead bug and correlation with weather the bugs flew and entered into eyes, ears and nostrils of workers when parameters was carried out during rabi 2006-07, 2007-08 and Kharif disturbed and also emitted foul smell. They also mentioned that some 2007-08, 2008-09 on sorghum variety GJ 38, grown in 400 m2 at birds like barbets fed on these bugs. Agricultural Research Station, N.A.U., Tanchha Dist-Bharuch under rainfed conditions. All the recommened agronomic practices were followed for From literature, the bug is known to feed and breed on bamboo flowers raising the crop. Experimental area was kept free from insecticidal spray and seeds and build up large populations (Beeson, 1941; Garthweite, 1938). In Coorg district, there was a staggered flowering of bamboo since Table 1 : Earhead bug population on sorghum during rabi last 6-8 months, due to flowering of bamboo the entire bamboo Mean earhead bug population per plantations dried up and resulting in migration of these bugs from bamboo plant (n = 100 plants) to other plants in vicinity. Though the bugs are found on a number of plant species, they seldom feed or mate either during day or night and gradually Sr. Met. Date WAS* 2006-07 2007-08 Pooled the population declines. No. Week 1 45 5-11 Nov 2 0 0 0 The pest is not recorded to cause any damage to coffee or other plants, 2 46 12-18 3 0 0 0 Farmers were advised not to take up any insecticide sprays for its management. Birds like barbets were found feeding on the bugs in 3 47 19-25 4 0 0 0 affected plantations. The bugs could be collected using a basket or cloth 4 48 26-2 5 0 0 0 and dumped in kerosene water placed in a container to kill them. 5 49 3-9 Dec 6 0 0 0 6 50 10-16 7 0 0 0 References: 7 51 17-23 8 0 0 0 Beeson, 1941, The ecology and control forest Insects of India and neighbouring countries. Vasant press, Dehra Dun, India. 30. Pp.113-145. 8 52 24-31 9 0 0 0 Garthweite, 1938, Entomological research. Rep. Sil. Ent. Burma, 1936-1937. 9 1 1-7 Jan 10 0 0 0 Pp. 93-103. 10 2 8-14 11 0 0 0 Mathew, G. and Sudheendrakumar, 1992, Bamboo Information Centre-India 11 3 15-21 12 0 0.1 0.05 Bulletin, 2(2): 17-18. 12 4 22-28 13 0.19 0.23 0.21 13 5 29-4 14 0.09 0.16 0.13 14 6 5-11 Feb 15 0 0.08 0.08 *Week after sowing 82 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 83

Table 2 : Earhead bug population on sorghum during kharif

Mean earhead bug population per tion plant (n = 100 plants) Sr. Met. Date WAS 2007-08 2008-09 Pooled No. Week Wind Evapora velocity 1 31 30-5 July 2 0 0 0 -0.513* 0.828* Wind Evaporati 2 32 6-12 Aug 3 0 0 0 velocity on 3 33 13-19 4 0 0 0 hours 4 34 20-26 5 0 0 0 Sunshine rabi kharif 5 35 27-2 6 0 0 0 hours Sunshine 6 36 3-9 Sep 7 0 0 0 days 7 37 10-16 8 0 0 0 Rainy 8 38 17-23 9 0 0 0 9 39 24-30 10 0 0 0 -0.385 -0.486* 0.721* 10 40 1-7 Oct 11 0 0 0 11 41 8-14 12 0 0 0

12 42 15-21 13 0.05 0.33 0.19 Even. Mean. 13 43 22-28 14 0.04 0.56 0.3 -0.648* -0.348 -0.415* 0.574* -0.329 0.519* % Rainfall 14 44 29-4 15 0.54 0.7 0.62 15 45 5-11 Nov 16 0.19 0.61 0.4 -0.336-0.360 -0.407 -0.309 -0.385 -0.364 0.481 0.286 0.568* 0.063 0.282 0.242 throughout the season. In order to record the population of earhead bugs, 100 plants were randomly selected. Observations on earhead bug was recorded after the emergence of panicles till the maturity of grains at

weekly intervals. The pooled data of rabi 2006-07 and 2007-08 (Table 1) Mean Morn. revealed that the earhead bug population commenced from 12 WAS (third C Humidity % week of January) lasting for 14 WAS (first week of February). The mean O population of earhead bug remained between 0.05 to 0.21 bugs per plant. Mean Morn. Even. Mean C Humidity

Maximum population was observed in fourth week of January (0.21 bugs/ O Min.

plant) than gradually it declined. The mean population of earhead bug -0.079 0.018 -0.307 -0.030 -0.221 -0.165 0.267 0.620 remained between 0.05 to 0.21 bugs per plant. The maximum population Min. was observed in fourth week of January (0.21 bugs/plant) than gradually Temperature it declined. The mean population of earhead bug remained between 0.3 to 0.62 per cent between 42nd to 45th meteorological week. The Temperature Max, 0.171 maximum population was observed in last week of October (0.62 bugs/ -0.671*-0.477* -0.664* -0.489* -0.689* -0.502* Max. 0.511 -0.422 -0.038 -0.391 -0.394 -0.399 -0.329 -0.357 0.416 -0.143 0.293 0.211 -0.757* -0.567* -0.661* -0.628* plant). Thus in general, the earhead bug population was higher during 0.139 -0.966* -0.657* -0.884* -0.803* -0.840* kharif compared to rabi. The significant negative correlation was observed between earhead bug population and maximum, minimum and average temperature indicating that when these climatic factors increased, the pest population decreased Year Weather parameter Year Weather parameter 2006-07 2007-08 Pooled *Significant at 5% level Table 4 : Correlation coefficient between earhead bug and weather parameter during 4 : Correlation coefficient between earhead bug and weather parameter Table Table 3 : Correlation coefficient between earhead bug and weather parameter during earhead bug and weather parameter 3 : Correlation coefficient between Table 2007-08 2008-09 Pooled * Significant at 5% level 84 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 85 and vice versa. While no correlation between other weather factors in Research Station, N.A.U., Tanchha under rainfed conditions. All the rabi season (Table 3) was observed. The regression equation fitted to recommended agronomic practices were followed for raising the crop. the data taking the earhead bug population (Y) as a dependent variable Experimental area was kept free from insecticidal spray. The number of and meteorological parameters as independent variable. The following dead heart formation due to damage of shoot fly larvae was counted from equation was fitted in rabi. randomly selected 100 plants at weekly intervals. In order to study the Y = 1.8423 - 0.0712 Min TEMP - 0.0211 Avg TEMP - 0.0060 MRH - effect of weather parameters on shootfly deadheart on sorghum, 0.0002 ERH + 0.0126 ARH - 0.0026 RD + 0.0228 SSH + 0.0099 correlation coefficient and multiple regression were worked out. EP (R2 = 0.61) The maximum per cent dead heart (12.5 per cent) was observed in third Thus, minimum and average temperature showed negative effect on week of November than gradually decline and disappears after first week earhead bug population in rabi and kharif as well. However, all the of December. The mean results of kharif 2007-08 and 2008-09 (Table 2) parameters related to relative humidity i.e., morning RH, evening RH, revealed that the shoot fly dead heart was found between 2 WAS (last average RH along with rainy days played a major role in reducing earhead week of July) to 5 WAS (third week of August). The mean per cent dead bug population during kharif. It is evident from the fact that weather heart by shoot fly ranged between 6.5 to 17.5 per cent in between 31st to parameter had 61 per cent impact on earhead bug during kharif. Hiremath (1989) reported that population of earhead bug was high during 34th meteorological week. The highest per cent shoot fly deadheart was kharif compared to rabi and summer while, Hiremath (1995) observed recorded in the second week August (17.5 per cent dead heart) then it that among abiotic factors, temperature exerted negative pressure. suddenly declined and disappeared after third week August i.e., it's appeared in seedling stage then after it disappear till crop harvesting. References Thus in general, the deadheart by the shootfly was higher during kharif Hiremath, I.G. 1989. J. biol. Control, 3(1): 13-16. compared to rabi. Hiremath, I.G. 1995. Proceedings of an International consultative workshop 4- 7 Oct. 1993, ICRISAT Sahelian Center, Niamey, Niger. pp: 81-90. Hiremath, I.G. and Thontadarya, T.S. 1984. Insect Science and its Application, Table 1 : Dead heart by shoot fly on sorghum during rabi 51: 467-474. Dead heart by shoot fly Mote, U.N., and Jadhav, S.S. 1990. J. Maharashtra Agric. Univ., 15: (Mean %) 121-122. Met. Date WAS 2006-07 2007-08 Pooled Week Incidence of shootfly, Atherigona soccata Rondani on 45 5-11 Nov 2 3.00 2.00 2.50 rainfed sorghum 46 12-18 3 8.00 6.00 7.00 D.R. Patel and M.S. Purohit 47 19-25 4 17.00 8.00 12.50 Department of Entomology, N.M. College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Gujarat, India 48 26-2 5 13.00 5.00 9.00 49 3-9 Dec 6 0.00 2.00 1.00 The sorghum shootfly (Atherigona soccata Rondani) is one of the major pests of sorghum in India. Rai and Jotwami (1997) estimated losses in 50 10-16 7 0.00 2.00 1.00 grain yield on sorghum due to shootfly to 13 to 20 per cent at 20 per cent 51 17-23 8 0.00 0.00 0.00 infestation level and about 60-90 per cent at 90 percent infestation. It is 52 24-31 9 0.00 0.00 0.00 the pest of significant importance on sorghum. In view of these, an experiment was conducted to study the seasonal population fluctuation 1 1-7 Jan 10 0.00 0.00 0.00 of the shootfly. 2 8-14 11 0.00 0.00 0.00 The study on shootfly deadheart and correlation with weather parameters 3 15-21 12 0.00 0.00 0.00 was carried out for rabi 2006-07, 2007-08 and Kharif 2007-08, 2008-09 4 22-28 13 0.00 0.00 0.00 on sorghum variety GJ 38. In order to determine the effect of weather 5 29-4 14 0.00 0.00 0.00 parameters on population fluctuations of shootfly, the sorghum crop (variety GJ 38) was grown in 400 m2 during rabi and kharif at Agricultural 6 5-11 Feb 15 0.00 0.00 0.00 86 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 87

Table 2 : Dead heart by shoot fly on sorghum during kharif

Dead heart by shoot fly tion (Mean %) Met. Date WAS 2006-07 2007-08 Pooled rabi

Week kharif Wind Evapora 31 30-5 July 2 5.00 8.00 6.50 velocity Wind Evaporati 32 6-12 Aug 3 12.00 14.00 13.00 velocity on 33 13-19 4 16.00 19.00 17.50 hours 34 20-26 5 4.00 5.00 4.50 Sunshine

35 27-2 6 0.00 0.00 0.00 hours Sunshine 36 3-9 Sep 7 0.00 0.00 0.00 days 37 10-16 8 0.00 0.00 0.00 Rainy 38 17-23 9 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.607 0.167 -0.539 -0.152 39 24-30 10 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.474 0.510 -0.659* 0.816* -0.495* and weather parameter during and weather parameter 40 1-7 Oct 11 0.00 0.00 0.00 during and weather parameter 41 8-14 12 0.00 0.00 0.00

42 15-21 13 0.00 0.00 0.00 Even. Mean. 43 22-28 14 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.449* 0.309 0.409* -0.634* 0.781* -0.391* % Rainfall 44 29-4 15 0.00 0.00 0.00 45 5-11 Nov. 16 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.262 -0.076 -0.198 0.016 -0.273 -0.090 -0.291-0.583 0.006 -0.558* -0.192 -0.061 -0.582 -0.169 Atherigona soccata Atherigona soccata

In rabi seasons (Table 3) correlation between shoot fly deadheart and minimum and average temperature was found positive and significant indicating that with the increasing of this weather parameter shoot fly population increased and vice versa. The correlation with other weather Mean Morn. factors were non significant. The multiple regressions for rabi was carried C Humidity % O

out and the following equation was predicted. Mean Morn. Even. Mean -0.037 -0.377* 0.486*

2 C Humidity

Y = 2.4279 + 1.4929 Min TEMP - 0.9380 Avg TEMP (R = 0.2413) O Min.

The correlation matrix (Table 4) indicated that in kharif season correlation 0.466* 0.411* between shoot fly deadheart and maximum temperature, sunshine hour Min. and evaporation were negative and significant. The multiple linear Temperature regression equation fitted to the data taking shoot fly deadheart as a Temperature

dependent variable and meteorological factors having significant Max, 0.144 0.577* 0.431 0.589* 0.410 0.517* coefficient as independent variable for kharif was Max. -0.526 0.363-0.402 0.389 -0.096 0.326 -0.009 0.429 0.478 0.424 0.509* 0.482 0.042 0.484 -0.597 0.918* -0.311 -0.451* 0.370* Table 3 : Correlation coefficient between 3 : Correlation coefficient Table

Y = 27.11 - 0.1676 Max TEMP - 0.0943 Min TEMP + 0.1795 MRH - 4 : Correlation coefficient between Table 0.3783 ERH + 0.0001 ARH - 0.6023 rainy days - 2.7928 SSH + 1.2579 WV + 0.7216 EP (R2 = 0.7891) Year Weather parameter Year Weather parameter Pooled*Significant at 5% level 0.318 2006-07 2007-08 2007-08 2008-09 Pooled * Significant at 5% level 88 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 89

It is evident from the above data that role of minimum temperature Table 1 : Succession of insects on chickpea at Jabalpur, rabi remained constant in positively influencing the shoot fly incidence in both 2009-2010. rabi and kharif. Where as maximum temperature played negative Month Common Scientific Stage Crop age Crop stage influence on shoot fly incidence in kharif. The morning, evening and name name (days) average relative humidity along with rainy days showed positive effect on shoot fly incidence in kharif. The other weathe parameters did not play Jan. Pod Helicoverpa Eggs 27 Vegetative any significant role in influencing the shoot fly attack on sorghum. borer armigera Hub. and Reference : Larvae Rai, S. and M.G. Jotwani. 1997. Entomologist's Newslet. 7:15-16. Jan Pod H. armigera Eggs 34 Vegetative borer and Succession of insect-pest(s) on Chickpea Larvae Y.A. Shinde, O.P. Veda and B.R. Patel Jan- Pod H. armigera Eggs 41 Vegetative Department of Agricultural Entomology, J.N. Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur - 482 004, India Feb borer and Larvae Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) is one among the important leguminous crops grown in rabi. The major chickpea producing states are Madhya Pradesh, Feb Pod H. armigera Eggs 48 Flowering Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Karnataka, Andhra borer and Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar and West Bengal. On this crop, besides the Larvae important and major pod and flower feeders are (Helicoverpa armigera), Feb Pod H. armigera Eggs 55 Flowering Hbn. cutworms (Agrotis ipsilon) Hbn. defoliators (Spodoptera exigua) and aphids are the important insect pests in many areas (Rao et al., 2004). borer and However, it is very much essential to know the succession of insect-pest(s) Larvae for the effective management. Feb Pod H. armigera Eggs 62 Flowering For this purpose, an experiment was carried out in the Experimental Field, borer and & Department of Entomology, Live Stock Farm, Adhartal, JNKVV, Jabalpur Larvae Pod (M.P.) during rabi 2009-2010. Chickpea variety JG-130 was grown following agronomical practices. Observations on different insect pest(s) Feb- Pod H. armigera Eggs 69 Pod were recorded at 10 spots each of 1 mrl (meter row length) once in a Mar borer and standard week. Observations were initiated from germination (Dec. 2009) Larvae and continued till maturity of the crop March, 2010). Mar Pod H. armigera Eggs 76 Pod The results obtained in the study indicated that chickpea crop was borer and attacked by one insect pest i.e. gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera, Larvae Hubner during different stages of the crop (Table 1). Eggs and larvae were first noted on 15th Jan. i.e. during the vegetative stage (27 days old Mar Pod H. armigera Eggs 83 Maturity crop). Eggs were observed till 22 March 2010 (90 days old crop) but larvae borer and were continued to be seen till 26 March 2010 (97 days old crop). Eggs Larvae and larvae of H. armigera Hub. were observed during vegetative, flowering, podding and maturity stages of the crop. Thus, during the entire course Mar Pod H. armigera Eggs 90 Maturity of study (December 2009 to March 2010) only gram pod borer, H. armigera borer and Hub. was observed on chickpea crop at Jabalpur. Similar findings were Larvae reported by Gupta Desh Raj (2003). Bohria and Shukla (2006) and Bisane Mar- Pod H. armigera Larvae 97 Maturity et. al. (2008). Apr. borer References 90 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 91

Bisane, K.D., Nehare, S.K. and Khande, D.M. (2008). J. Ent. Res., 32(4): 295- Table 2 : Evaluation of incremental cost benefit ratio after insecticidal 301. application against S. litura Bohria, A.K. and Shukla, A. (2006). Crop Research, 32(3): 504-506. S. Treatment Cost of Labor Total Yield Increase Value of Increme ICBR Gupta, R.K. and Desh Raj (2003). J. Biological Control, 17(1): 9-12. No. Treatment and cist kg/ha in yield increased ntal (C/A) 3 spray seed Rs. over yield Rs. benefit Rao, V.N., Maheshwari, T.U., Prasad, P.R., Naidu, V.G. and Savithri P. (2004). /ha cost /ha control /ha (B) C=B-A Integrated insect pest management, Agrobios (India), Jodhpur – 342 002, /ha (A) kg/ha p. 107. T Chlorpyriphos 20 5928 2250 8178 763 315 6930 1248 1:0.15 1 EC @ 0.05% Evaluation of incremental cost benefit ratio after insecticidal T Cypermethrin 25 696 2250 2946 856 408 8976 6030 1:2.04 2 application against Spodoptera litura (Fab.) on soybean EC @0.006% T Rajendra Singh and Meenu Agarwal* Quinolphos 25 EC 3711 2250 5961 735 287 6314 353 1:0.05 3 SHIATS, Allahabad (U.P.), @ 0.05% *NCIPM, Pusa Campus, New Delhi - 110012, India T Profenophos 50 3711 2250 5961 951 503 11066 5105 1:0.85 4 Soybean (Glycine max. (L.) Merrill) is a unique crop with high nutritive EC @ 0.1% T value providing 40% protein and 20% edible oil besides minerals and Trizophos 40 EC 2952 2250 5202 728 280 6160 958 1:0.18 5 vitamins. The soybean crop is grown mainly in Madhya Pradesh, @ 0.05% T Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura Neem oil 5% 6000 2250 8250 675 227 4994 3256 1:0.39 (Fab.) is a serious and regular pest in Madhya Pradesh. It damage the 6 T Control Untreated 448 soybean from mid August to October in Kharif and from November to March 7 in rabi. After damaging the leaves they start feeding on younger parts of 2011-12 T the plant subsequently damaging 30 to 50% of the pods (Anonymous, Chlorpyriphos 20 5928 2250 8178 768 315 7560 618 1:0.07 1 2010). Higher populations were noticed in Dharwad during the grand EC @ 0.05% growth stage of the crop (Patil, 2002). T Cypermethrin 25 696 2250 2946 860 407 9768 6822 1:2.31 2 The experiments were carried out during Kharif 2010 and 2012 at EC @ 0.006% T Department of Plant Protection, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture Quinolphos 25 EC 3711 2250 5961 740 287 6888 927 1:0.15 3 Technology and Sciences, Allahabad. The insecticidal spray solution of @ 0.05% desire concentrations as per treatment (Table-1) were freshly prepared T Profenophos 50 3711 2250 5961 956 503 12072 6111 1:102 4 every time at the site of experimentation just before the start of spraying EC @ 0.1% operations and the quantity of spray material required for average of crop T Trizophos 40 EC 2952 2250 5202 733 280 6720 1518 1:0.29 5 gradually increased as the crop advanced in age. The sprayer was @ 0.05% T Neem oil 5% 6000 2250 8250 680 227 5448 2802 1:0.33 Table 1 : Details of chemical treatments 6 T Contrl Untreated Treatments Chemical Name Conc. (%) 7

T1 Chlorpyriphos 20 EC 0.05 flushed with each treatment solution / ha was used depending upon the stage of crop. T2 Cypermethrin 25 EC 0.006 T Quinolphos 25 EC 0.05 The value of ICBR of a different treatment are calculated by following 3 formula : T Profenophos 50 EC 0.1 4 ICBR = Additional return T Trizophos 40 EC 0.05 5 Cost of treatment T Neem oil 5% 05 6 Where : ICBR - Increment Cost Benefit Ratio

T7 Untreated (Control) ----- 92 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 93

The data presented in Table-2 revealed that the yield of all treatments has now attained the status of a serious pest on wide range of plants. It significantly superior over control in both the years. The most effective was recorded from as many as 194 host attained the status of a serious treatment was profenophos (951 & 956 kg/ha). The yield of other pest on wide range of plants. It was recorded from as many as 194 host treatments recorded were of the order cypermethrin (856 & 860 kg/ha) > plants across the country (Vennila et al., 2011). Medicinal and Aromatic chlorpyriphos (763 & 768 kg/ha) > quinalphos (735 & 740 kg/ha) > plants play important role in public health care globally are also not free trizophos (723 & 733 kg/ha) > neem oil (675 & 680 kg/ha). These findings from the ravages of this mealybug. During our field surveys incidence of are in agreement with those reported by Hole et al. (2009). The highest P. solenopsis was observed on a wide range of medicinal plants. incremental cost benefit ratio (ICBR) of 1:2.04 & 1:2.31 was obtained in Symptoms of damage observed on these plants were twisted and dried cypermethrin followed by profenophos (1:0.85 & 1:1.0), neem oil (1:0.39 leaves and shoot, white fluffy mass on stems, distorted or bushy shoots, & 1:0.33), trizophos (1:0.18 & 1:0.29) chloropyriphos (1:0.15 & 1:0.17) and quinalphos (1:0.05 & 1:0.155) in 2010 and 2011, respectively (Table-2). presence of , black sooty mold and small deformed fruits, etc. Chaudhary and Shrivastava (2007) found ICBR and showed that the A survey was conducted during 2009-10 to record the occurrence, intensity application of NSKE 5% (2.44) proved economically most viable amongst and periodicity of this polyphagus pest on different medicinal and aromatic the neem based treatments against S. litura. plants in cotton agro-ecosystem of Gujarat. Incidence of cotton mealybug Incremental cost benefit ratio as influenced by various treatments showed on cultivated and perennial medicinal and aromatic plants was monitored that higher amount of monetary returns was obtained by Profenophos (Rs. by taking monthly observations on these plants throughout the year. 11066 & 12072). Infestation of mealy bug was categorized as Incidental, Low, Medium and High according to Arif et. al. (2009), based on visual observation on 50 References : randomly selected plants in cultivated crops, where as, all the available Anonymous, (20010). Area and production estimation of soybean 2010, based plants in case of perennial species. on crop survey conducted by SOPA September 15 to 27, 2010. Table 1 : Infestation of cotton mealy bug on medicinal and aromatic plants Chaudhary, A.K. and Shrivastava, S.K. 2007. International J. Agric. Sci., 3(2): 15-17. Plants Family Common Name Infestation Gupta, S.C. (2007). Ann. Pl. Protec. Sci. 15: 87-91. Hibiscus sabdariffa Malvaceae Lalambari + + Hole, U.B. Jadhav S.R. and Teli V.S. 2009. Ann. Pl. Protec. Sci. 17(2): 322-324. Hibiscus rosa sinensis Malvaceae Jasum + + + Masuda, T. and Peter D. Goldsmith (2009). Agri. Manag. Review volume 12, Abutilon indicum Malvaceae Kanghi + + + + Issue 4, 2009. Sida cordata Malvaceae Bananiyar + Patil R.H., (2002). Evaluation of insect pest management components in soybean ecosystem, Ph.D. thesis, Univ. Agric. Sci. Dharwad (India). Abelmoschus moschatus Malvaceae Muskdana + + Artemisia annua Compositae - + + + + Cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley on (Asteraceae) medicinal and aromatic plants in cotton Tagetus erecta Compositae Gainda + + agroecosystem of Gujarat (Asteraceae) Tagetus minuta Compositae Hazara + + Vipin Chaudhary (Asteraceae) Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research, Boriavi-387 310, Anand, Gujarat, India Chrysanthemum Compositae Gul daudi + + maximum (Asteraceae) Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcdae), once considered as minor Parthenium Compositae Gazar gass + + + pests on many crops have become the real cause of concern in the recent hysterophorus (Asteraceae) years, as they attack scores of Agricultural and Horticultural crops Cestrum diurnum Solanaceae Din-ka-raja + + throughout the country. About 5000 species of mealybugs have been Datura metel Solanaceae Dhatura + reported from 246 families of plants throughout the world (Ben-Dov, 1994). Cotton mealybug (Phenacoccus solenopsis) was first identified in India in 2004 when a sudden invasion on Bt. cotton in Gujarat was observed, 94 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 95

infestation of mealybug was more in cultivated crops like Artemisia, Withania somnifera Solanaceae Ashwagandha + + Isabgol, etc. than perennial species. Solanum khasianum Solanaceae Ban bhindi + + + References : Cestrum nocturnum Solanaceae Rat-ki-rani + Arif, M.I., Rafiq, M. and Ghaffar, A. 2009. Int. J. Agric. Biol., 11: 163-167. Solanum nigrum Solanaceae Makoi + + Ben-Dov, Y. 1994. A Systematic Catalogue of the Mealybugs of the World, p: Commiphora wightii Burseraceae Guggal + 686. Intercept Limited, UK. Murraya koenigii Rutaceae Meetha neem + + + Vennila, S., Prasad, Y.G., Prabhakar, M. Rishi Kumar, Nagrare, V., Amutha, M., Plantago indica Plantaginaceae Black isabgol + + + + Dharajyothi, Agarwal, M. Sreedevi, G., Venkateswarlu, B., Kranthi, K.R. and Bambawale O. M. 2011. Technical Bulletin No. 26, National Centre for Tinospora cordifolia Meniseprmaceae Gloi + + + Integrated Pest Management, New Delhi, P. 50. Adhatoda vasica Acanthaceae Ardusi + + Boerhaavia diffusa Nyctaginaceae Satodi + Laboratory biology of the rice gall midge, Orseolia oryzae (Wood-Mason) in Sirsi Merremia turpethum Convolvuliaceae Nishot + + Rosa damascena Rosaceae Gulab + + Archana, D., Javaregowda, B. Halappa and B. Doddabasappa Department of Agricultural Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Vetiveria zizanioides Graminae () Khas + + Dharwad - 580 005, Karnataka, India Cymbopogon fluxeouses Graminae (Poaceae) Palmrosa + + The gall midge, Orseolia oryzae (Wood-Mason) is one of the most Abrus precatorius Fabaceae Chanoti + important pests in low land, medium and upland during kharif. The gall Desmodium gangeticum Fabaceae Salwan + + formed by this fly is known as 'silver shoot' or 'onion shoot' or 'anekombu'. Observations on biology of rice gall midge (RGM) were recorded at the Cyamopsis tetragonoloba Fabaceae Guar + + + Agricultural Research Station (ARS), Sirsi, Uttar during west Achyranthes aspera Amranthaceae Latijeera + + season (Kharif) 2009 and 2010 in laboratory by Jagadeesha Kumar et Mimosa pudica Mimosaceae Lajlu + al. (2009) with little modification. Crataeva nurvala Capparaceae Barun + + Egg : The incubation period of eggs on an average varied from 1.5 to 3.5 Plumbago zeylanica Plumbaginaceae Chitrak + days, with an average of 2.50±1.41 when temperature fluctuated between 25-30OC and relative humidity touched almost 100 per cent under caged Kickxia incana Schrophulariaceae - + + + condition. Eggs were laid singly or in clusters of 3-4 on the under side Kickxia ossisima Schrophulariaceae - + + of the leaf sheath. Freshly laid eggs were tubular with whitish, before Lantana camara Verbenaceae - + + hatching egg changed to dark brown. Gymnema sylvestre Asclepiadaceae Gur-mar + + + Maggot : On hatching, the active young maggots moved down between + Incidental; + + Low; + + + Medium; + + + + High leaf sheath and attacked the lateral leaf buds. It then penetrated into the tillers. The larva caused the plant to form an initially oval, hollow gall at the tiller's growing point within which it stayed. The gall developed on young tiller's before distinct internodes were observed. The maggots grew up fast and completed development within 8.5 to 9.5 days with a mean of 9.00±0.71. The gall enlarged and the whole tiller gave the appearance Phenacoccus solenopsis was recorded on 37 plant species of 20 families of an onion shoot-gall. (Table 1). On the basis of infestation level plants from Malvaceae, Pupa : Pupation occurred inside the gall and the pupal period varied from Compositae (Asteraceae), Solanaceae, Plantaginaceae, Amranthaceae, 3.5 to 4.5 days with an average of 4.00±0.71. Towards the end of pupal Fabaceae and Rutaceae were found as preferred host for the mealybug. stage the gall elongated into a hollow tube, very long pearly white so that Mealybug was found through out the year on one or other plant. The the plant looked like an onion leaf. Then it made a hole in the wall and 96 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013 Insect Environment, Vol.18(3)(4), October-March 2012-2013

Table 1 : Biology of Asian rice gall midge in laboratory at ARS, Sirsi.

Life stages (Days) Range (Days) *Average ± SD Egg Period 1.50-3.50 2.50 ± 1.41 Maggot 8.50-9.50 9.00 ± 0.71 Pupal Period 3.50-4.50 4.00 ± 0.71 Adult longevity Male 1.00-1.50 1.25 ± 0.35 Female 1.50-2.50 2.00 ± 0.71 Total life cycle 15.00 - 20.00 17.50 ± 3.54 Fecundity/Female 86.00 - 107.00 96.5 ± 14.85 *Average of 10 observations, SD: Standard deviation the adult midge emerged and crawled out leaving the pupal skin protruding from the existing hole. Adult: Adult is a reddish brown fly similar in shape and size to a small mosquito. The sexes can be easily distinguished at the adult stage. Male was slender with brown abdomen and longer antennae (23 segmented). Females were robust, reddish brown abdomen 13 segmented with moniliform antennae. Adult midge usually emerged at night. During the day, they were found hiding near the bases of the plant. Males and females mated within a few hours of emergence. Adult logevity in male lasted between 1.0 to 1.5 days with an average of 1.25±0.35. In female the corresponding value varied from 1.5 to 2.5 days with an average of 2.0±0.71. Female layed 86 to 107 eggs with an average 96.5±14.85 within next one or two days. The entire life cycle of O. oryzae lasted between 15 to 20 days with an average of 17.50±3.54. Total life cycle varied from 15 to 20 days with average fecundity per female 96.5±14.85 with range of 86 to 107 eggs. This indicated that insect completed life cycle early. Less fecundity under laboratory condition may be due to confined condition. References Jagadeesha Kumar, B.D., Chakravarthy, A.K., Doddabasappa, B. and Basavaraju, B.S., 2009, Karnataka J. Agric. Sci. 22(3): 535-537.

We are contemplating to upload Insect Environment on to www.currentbiotica.com from next volume (19)