154 Insect Environment, Vol.17(4), January-March 2012 Insect Environment, Vol.17(4), January-March 2012 155

This insect was available mainly during the months between May and Chilli bud borer, Goethella asulcatta Girault in October. Dominant herbs available were Neyrandia madagascariensis Andhra Pradesh Hk . sf., Erianthus hookeri Nees, Setaria glauca Beauv and Gornotia stricta Brongo. Out of these Neyraudia madagascariensis was the most preferred P. Vijaya Lakshmi*, T. Vijaya Lakshmi, S. Surya Kumari, food of this pest. The temperature ranges between 15OC and 35OC and K. Ramaraju*, L. Naram Naidu *Scientist (Entomology) E-mail : [email protected] humidity between 40 percent and 85 per cent. After the month of October, Senior Scientist (Ento), TNAU, Coimbatore, India this insect disappear from the area. Reduction in chilli yields was due to insect pests at flowering stage Author is grateful to the University Grants Commission, New Delhi, for financial assistance as Minor Research Project. resulting in heavy bud and flower drop. During 2009 – 10 infested buds (Fig. 1) were collected from chilli experimental fields of Horticultural Research Station and neighbouring villages (HRS) , Lam, Guntur, Andhra Outbreak of red spider mite in banana plantations Pradesh (south India). Some of the buds were kept in single insect (Tetranychidae : Prostigmata ) of Thrissur District, Kerala chamber trays for adult emergence. Another batch (n = 1000) of damaged Haseena Bhaskar, K.V. Binisha and Sosamma Jacob flower buds (un opened) were cut open. It was observed that immature Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Kerala stages fed on developing ovaries and pupated. In the buds (Fig 2) Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala India Immature stages (cream in color) measured about 0.2 to 0.3 mm in length, During March – April 2012, large scale bronzing and drying of banana 0.1mm in width. Pupae were blackish brown and 0.3 mm in length, 0.1 leaves were reported from different banana growing tracts of Chalakkudy, mm in width. Black adults were observed to emerge by making small Mala, Irinjalakkuda and Cherpu area of Thrissur District, Kerala (south holes from damaged buds. India). The problem was then brought to the notice of Kerala Agricultural The samples of immature stages and adults were sent to National University. The field survey undertaken in the banana plantations revealed Bureau of Agriculturally Important Insects (NBAII), Bangalore and ICAR severe incidence of red spider mites on the crop. Large number of Net work Project on Insect Biosystematics lab, TNAU, Coimbatore and different stages of spider mite of the genus Tetranychus was found on identified as Goethella asulcata Girault (Hymenoptera : Eulophidae ). This both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves beneath fine silken is the first record and report from Andhra Pradesh. webbing. On an average, 11.47 and 8.40 mites were recorded on one cm2 leaf area on the lower and upper surface, respectively, Several weed flora within the plantation were also found to harbor a large number of this mite. The nymphs and adults suck the leaf sap leading to yellowish discoloration of leaf lamina followed by bronzing and complete drying up of the leaves. The symptom of damage caused by the mite resembles that of leaf rot. Indiscriminate use of pesticides along with the high temperature recorded in the locality must have been responsible for the flare up of the mite and outbreak situation. The mite could be effectively managed by the application of the acaricides, Spiromesifen 240 SC (0.8ml/litre ) and fenazaquin 10EC (2ml/ litre). Karmakar and Dey (2006) had reported two species of spider mites, Olgonychus oryzae and Tetranychus urticae affecting banana in West Bengal. Reference: Karmakar, K. and Dey,, S. 2006. Indian J. Crop science, 1 (1-2) : 138- 139.

Fig. 1 : Infested chilli buds Fig. 2 : Maggots feeding on ovary 156 Insect Environment, Vol.17(4), January-March 2012 Insect Environment, Vol.17(4), January-March 2012 157

32.1ON and 77.2OE Longitude with altitude of 1473 m amsl. Nine colonies, each on 5 – 6 frames were selected and were divided into three groups. These colonies were equalized in terms of brood and food stores. To group A, three kilograms of sugar syrup (50% sugar syrup ) was artificially fed. Similarly to group B , two kilograms and to group C, one kilogram sugar was fed. Effect of these feedings was studied on the colony build up and food stores during February – April, 2002. The data were statistically analyzed using Randomized Block Design, after undertaking the necessary transformations (Gomez and Gomez, 1984). Observations were recorded on the effect of different amounts of winter stores kept in the colonies (1 to 3 kg per colony ) on bee population , brood area and food stores, on three groups of colonies during February to April, 2002 at Katrain (Dist. Kullu). The results showed that irrespective of the months of Observations, the colonies having 3 kg of winter stores have a bee population of 11080, Fig. 3 : Pupae of Goethella Fig. 3 : Adult fly of Goethella which was statistically at par with population in colonies having 2 kg of asulcata asulcata winter stores (8681 bees per colony ) However, differences, irrespective of amount of winter stores during different months were non significant , varying between 7209 to 9279 bees per colony . Maximum brood rearing Effect of winter stores on colony development in amounting to 1194 cm2 brood area per colony was found in colonies Apis cerana F at Katrain area of Kullu valley in the having 3 kg of winter stores, respectively , irrespective of the months of Indian Himalayan region observations. The brood was significantly more in colonies having 3 kg 2 2 *1 2 3 of winter stores (1194 cm ) as compared to those having 1kg (309.7 cm ) Nirupama Sharma , J.K. Gupta and Harish Sharma Department of Life Sciences, Eritrean Institute of However, differences were non significant between colonies having winter Technology, Asmara, Eritrea stores of 3 kg and 2 kg as well as those having 2 kg and 1 kg, Email : [email protected] respectively. The brood area, irrespective of amount of winter store was 2&3Department of Entomology and Apiculture, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of only 181.7 cm2 in February, which increased significantly to 810.2cm2 in Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni – Solan 173230 (HP), India March. The differences were non significant during March and April. The Apis cerana is a part of natural heritage of mountain communities . It is maximum amount of honey store, irrespective of the dates of observations an excellent pollinator of mountain crops, which bloom during early spring was 816.4 g in colonies having 3 kg of winter stores which was season such as almond, apple, pear, plum, and different vegetable crops. significantly higher than those colonies having 2 and 1 kg of winter stores. There are problems of inadequate food reserves, queenlessness, The average honey stores were 401.2 and 341.9 g per colony , respectively reduced fecundity and diseases. As a result of this A. cerana colonies (difference non significant) in colonies having 2 and 1 kg winter stores. oftern abscond or desert the hives (Verma, 1990) Irrespective of amount of winter stores, more honey was present during April (610.1 g ) as compared to February (437.2g). The results showed Successful overwintering of bee colonies depends on large number of that irrespective of months of observations the colonies having 3 kg of factors including the amount of winter stores. These stores are equally winter stores have pollen area of 320.6 cm2, which was statistically at important for the colony built up during spring season. In the upper par with the pollen area (155.1 cm2) in colonies having 2 kg of winter Himalayan region, bees experience severe winter from November to stores. However, the differences were significant when compared to March, and as much as 30 per cent of colonies are lost annually due to colonies having 1kg of winter stores. The differences, irrespective of poor wintering. Colonies with adequate food stores can overwinter amount of winter stores during different months were non significant, successfully. varying between 115.3 to 292.4 cm2 per colony. The present investigations were carried out during 2001 and 2002 in the It can thus be concluded that winter stores of 3 kg per colony increased apiary of Beekeeping and Horticulture Research Sub – Station of Dr. Y. S. bee population, brood rearing as well as honey and pollen stores Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry at Katrain, Kullu situated at significantly by the month of April as compared to colonies , which had