Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2018; 7(5): 2711-2715

E-ISSN: 2278-4136 P-ISSN: 2349-8234 JPP 2018; 7(5): 2711-2715 Influence of castor genotypes with different wax Received: 01-07-2018 Accepted: 03-08-2018 blooms on oviposition preference of endolarval parasitoid Snellenius maculipennis (Szepligate) of K Chakkani Priya Acharya N.G. Ranga castor semilooper janata L Agricultural University, Lam, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India

KV Hari Prasad K Chakkani Priya, KV Hari Prasad, NC Venkateswarlu and V Umamahesh Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Lam, Abstract Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India The A. janata larvae reared on susceptible genotype DPC-9 had significantly greater parasitisation by S. maculipennis than the moderately resistant genotype 48-1 and resistant genotype GCH-4 tested under no- NC Venkateswarlu choice, dual-choice and multi-choice conditions, suggesting that host genotypes plays a significant role in Acharya N.G. Ranga the effectiveness of S. maculipennis in parasitisation of A. janata larvae. The increased parasitism of A. Agricultural University, Lam, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India janata larvae by S. maculipennis on the susceptible genotype DPC-9 might be due to the fact that the host larvae was healthy on the susceptible genotype because lack of resistance to the herbivore. Percentage V Umamahesh parasitism was greater under no-choice condition as compared to that under multi-choice and dual choice Acharya N.G. Ranga conditions, which may be largely because of non-availability of alternate host plant to the females of S. Agricultural University, Lam, maculipennis in no choice condition. The genotype DPC-9 was hospitable to S. maculipennis, better Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India suited for use in integrated pest management to minimize the losses due to A. janata in castor.

Keywords: Achaea janata, Snellenius maculipennis, parasitisation, susceptible, resistant

1. Introduction

Castor, communis L. is one of the most important commercial, non-edible oilseed crop in family. The genus, "Ricinus" is derived from Latin word meaning "dog tick" because of it's seed resemblance to the common pest of dog. Castor oil and its derivatives, besides being used in medicine, are also used in a wide range of sectors including agriculture, textile industry, paper industry, plastic engineering, rubber and pharmaceuticals (Annual

Report, DOR, 2003-04). Castor semilooper, A. janata (: Noctuidae) is a polyphagous pest and feeds on many different species of plants. Alternate hosts include banana, cabbage, Chinese cabbage, crown of thorns, , macadamia, mustard, poinsettia, rose, sugarcane and as well as some legumes, teas, and other species. Castor is the major host, under severe

infestations, caterpillar devour the green foliage completely, leaving only the veins and enforce [7] the farmers to re-sow the crop (Gaikwad and Bilapate, 1992) . Castor semilooper, A. janata is regulated by hymenopteran endolarval parasitoid Snellenius (=Microplitis) maculipennis (Szepligate) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) which is cosmopolitan in distribution (Gaikwad and Bilapate, 1989) [6]. Under field conditions, it is capable of [14] parasitizing up to 77.31% of semilooper population (Rai and Jayaramaiah, 1978) . The early instars of A. janata were attacked by the parasitoid and parasitized larvae did not feed and died later on (Somasekhar et al., 1993) [18]. The study of tri-trophic interactions is important in order to understand natural enemies interactions and to manipulate these interactions in pest control (Agarwal, 2000) [1]. Herbivore-induced plant volatiles have been suggested to function as indirect defence signals that attract natural enemies of

herbivores. Several parasitoids are known to exploit such plant-provided cues to locate their [8] hosts (Hoballah and Turlings, 2001) . Generally, parasitoids are host specific and parasitize the host in a density dependent manner (Annecke and Moran, 1982), and when exploited successfully this can be an effective way to reduce the frequency of pesticide applications and also reduced environmental pollution (Talekar et al., 1990) [19]. Genotypic resistance has a considerable influence on parasitism of insect pests in different crops.

The nature of influence depends on the insect pest, natural enemy, and the crop (Sharma et al. Correspondence [16] K Chakkani Priya 2003) . However, there is no information on genotype effect on the activity and abundance of Acharya N.G. Ranga natural enemies in castor. The present studies were undertaken to study the effect of different Agricultural University, Lam, genotypes of castor on the parasitisation of A. janata by S. maculipennis to identify genotypes that Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India are compatible with the natural enemies of this pest. ~ 2711 ~ Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

2. Materials and Methods and GCH-4 (Red, triple bloom, resistant) showing different 2.1 Maintenance of stock-culture of semilooper A. janata degrees of resistance to A. janata (Sarma et al., 2006., Naik, The stock culture of A. janata was maintained in the 2017) [15, 12] were grown in plastic pots of 23 cm diameter and Insectary, Department of Entomology, S.V. Agricultural 20 cm height during kharif 2017 under net house conditions. College, ANGRAU, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh at 25 ± 2 °C, The seeds of these germplasm were procured from Regional 75 ± 5% RH during 2017-18. Adults of A. janata were Agricultural Research Station, Palem and The Indian Institute collected from college farm and Regional Agricultural of Oilseeds Research (IIOR), Hyderabad. The substrate used Research Station, Tirupati and released into oviposition cages for growing of plants was red soil: compost in 3 : 1 ratio. (32 cm × 30 cm × 30 cm) for mating and were provided with The seeds of test plants were treated with fungicides 20% honey solution mixed with vitamin - E tablets in cotton (Mancozeb 2g Kg1) to prevent seed-borne fungal diseases. All swabs. The petioles of castor leaves were kept in conical the normal agronomic practices were followed for pot flasks by placing the cut end of petioles dipped in water culturing of plants. Leaves from these castor genotypes at containing 10% sugar solution, these leaves acted as substrate peak vegetative stage were used in the experiments. Staggered for oviposition and old leaves were replaced with fresh leaves planting of castor genotypes was done for continuous supply as and when required. After one or two days of exposure, of leaves during the period of experimentation. leaves having eggs of A. janata were shifted to another separate plastic troughs of 25 cm diameter where the eggs Table 2.3: Bloom characters of castor genotypes used in the present were allowed to hatch. Fresh leaves were provided as and investigation.

when required to the newly hatched larvae and the rearing Genotype Bloom nature Character troughs were cleaned regularly to keep a healthy stock No bloom or waxy material on any DPC-9 Green zero culture. part of the plant. Pupae formed from the stock culture were collected and kept Bloom on stems, petioles and lower in separate oviposition cages for adult emergence for further 48-1 Red double surface of leaves but not on the rearing as described above. The first instars emerging from upper surface of the leaves. these stock culture were used for all the experiments in the Bloom on every part of plant such present investigations. GCH-4 Red triple as stems, petioles, upper and lower surface of leaves. (Annual Report, DOR, 1977) 2.2 Maintenance of nucleus culture of parasitoid,

Snellenius maculipennis 2.4 Role of castor wax blooms on ovipositional behavior of The stock culture of S. maculipennis was maintained at S. maculipennis. Insectary, Department of Entomology, S.V. Agricultural 2.4.1 Free choice / Multiple choice College, Tirupati at 25 ± 2 °C, 75 ± 5% RH. Initially, A fully developed leaves from each green zero bloom, red parasitized larvae of A. janata with cocoons were collected double bloom and red triple bloom were excised upto petiole from college farm and Regional Agricultural Research and cut ends of petiole was placed in conical flask with 10% Station, Tirupati and were kept in Petri plates of 15 cm sugar solution and this setup was used for oviposition diameter. Adults emerged from these cocoons were released preference of S. maculipennis. into oviposition cages for mating and were provided with 5% Ten first instar A. janata larvae were released on leaves each honey solution mixed with proteinex powder dipped in cotton of zero, double and triple bloom. The larvae were allowed to swab as food material. feed on the leaves of respective genotypes for two days. Care Second instar larvae of A. janata were released on local castor was taken to prevent movement of larvae from leaves of one variety leaves and were offered to adults of S. maculipennis genotype to another by keeping conical flasks (with leaves) for oviposition in oviposition cages. The cut end of petioles of on a 20 cm diameter trough underneath and were arranged in castor leaves were dipped in water in a conical flask such a way that the leaves do not touch each other. containing 10% sugar solution. After exposing the larvae for After two days of larval feeding, five pairs of adult parasitoids 24 to 48 hrs to the adult parasitoids, the parasitised larvae were released inside the cage and allowed to oviposit (free were collected and reared separately in plastic troughs of 20 choice condition) on the larvae of A. janata feeding on cm diameter and provided with castor leaves till cocoon different castor genotypes with different blooms. There were formation. After formation of the cocoon from parasitized total of eight replications. After exposing the larvae for 24 to larvae, parasitized larvae with cocoons still attached to its 48 hrs to the adult parasitoids, the parasitized larvae were body were kept in Petri plates for further rearing as described collected and reared separately in plastic troughs and provided above. The parasitoids were reared and multiplied for two with leaves of respective castor genotypes till cocoon generations to obtain sufficient number of parasitoids before formation. Emerged adults from cocoons, were provided with using them for the experiments. Adults and cocoons of S. 5% honey solution mixed with proteinex powder dipped in maculipennis from this nucleus culture were used for the cotton swab as food material. experiments. During multiplication of S. maculipennis, two Oviposition preference of S. maculipennis towards A. janata species of hyperparasitoids namely Mesochorus pilicornis larvae fed on castor genotypes with different blooms viz., (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) and Brachymeria DPC-9, 48-1 and GCH-4 under free choice condition were secundaria (Ruschka) (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) were recorded and expressed as per cent parasitisation. recorded on S. maculipennis. Whenever, the temperatures are

above or below than 25 ± 2 0C the parasitoid multiplication was reduced.

2.3 Pot culturing of castor genotypes with different blooms. Three genotypes of castor viz., DPC-9 (Green, zero bloom, susceptible), 48-1 (Red, double bloom, moderately resistant)

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2.4.2 Dual choice Table 3.1.1: Parasitisation of A. janata larvae by S. maculipennis The above experiment was repeated by keeping one reared on castor genotypes with different wax blooms under free choice condition. susceptible (DPC-9) and one resistant (GCH-4) leaves of castor genotypes with A. janata larvae and were offered to Genotype Per cent parasitisation adult parasitoids S. maculipennis for parasitisation. There DPC-9 (Zero bloom, Susceptible) 65a (53.82) were total of 15 replications and the results were expressed as 48-1 (Double bloom, Moderately 13.75c (21.48) per cent parasitisation. resistant) GCH-4 (Triple bloom, Resistant) 18.75bc (25.54) LSD at 0.01 9.14 CV% 19.86 Values followed by same letter are not significantly different at 0.01 level and the values in parenthesis are transformed Per cent parasitisation data was subjected to statistical values. analysis by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, 16.2). 3.2 Dual choice 3.2.1 Per cent parasitisation 2.4.3 No choice Per cent parasitisation of A. janata larvae by the S. Oviposition preference of S. maculipennis on A. janata larvae maculipennis on a susceptible DPC-9 (Green, zero bloom) fed on castor genotypes with different blooms viz., DPC-9 and a resistant GCH-4 (Red, triple bloom) genotypes was (Green, zero bloom, susceptible), 48-1 (Red, double bloom, recorded under dual choice condition. Though no significant moderately resistant) and GCH-4 (Red, triple bloom, differences were recorded, relatively higher parasitisation of resistant) were studied under no choice condition were 77.14% was recorded on larvae of A. janata when reared on recorded and expressed in per cent parasitisation. DPC-9 and relatively lower parasitisation of 51.43% was There were total of eight replications and the results were recorded on larvae of A. janata when reared on GCH-4 (Table expressed as per cent parasitisation. 4.2.2).

Table 3.2: Parasitisation of A. janata larvae by S. maculipennis reared on castor genotypes with different wax blooms under dual choice condition

Genotype Per cent parasitisation Per cent parasitisation data was subjected to statistical DPC-9 (Zero bloom, Susceptible) 77.14a (65.36 ) analysis by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences GCH-4 (Triple bloom, Resistant) 51.43a (49.04 ) (SPSS, 16.2). LSD at 0.01 27.21 CV% 40.31 3. Results and discussion Values followed by same letter are not significantly different at 0.01 3.1 Free choice level and the values in parenthesis are transformed values. 3.1.1 Per cent parasitisation Adults of S. maculipennis were allowed to oviposit on A. 3.3 No choice janata larvae reared on DPC-9 (Green, zero bloom, 3.3.1 Per cent parasitisation susceptible), 48-1 (Red, double bloom, moderately resistant) Adults of S. maculipennis were allowed to oviposit on A. and GCH-4 (Red, triple bloom, resistant) under free choice janata larvae reared on DPC-9 (Green, zero bloom, condition. Highest parasitisation of 65% was recorded on A. susceptible), 48-1 (Red, double bloom, moderately resistant) janata larvae when reared on DPC-9 and was offered for and GCH-4 (Red, triple bloom, resistant) under no choice parasitisation. Lowest parasitisation of 13.75% was recorded condition. Highest parasitisation of A. janata larvae by S. on A. janata larvae when reared on 48-1 and was offered for maculipennis (96.25%) was recorded when reared on DPC-9. parasitisation followed by GCH-4 (18.75%) which were on Lowest parasitisation of A. janata larvae by S. maculipennis par with each other (Table 4.2.1). (77.50%) was recorded when reared on 48-1 followed by GCH-4 (87.50%) which were significantly different with each other (Table 4.2.3).

Table 3.3: Parasitisation of A. janata larvae by S. maculipennis reared on castor genotypes with different wax blooms under no choice condition

Genotype Per cent parasitisation DPC-9 (Zero bloom, Susceptible) 96.25a (83.09) 48-1 (Double bloom, Moderately resistant) 77.50ab (62.15) GCH-4 (Triple bloom, Resistant) 87.50a (69.53) LSD at 0.01 11.08 CV% 8.99 Values followed by same letter are not significantly different at 0.01 level and the values in parenthesis are transformed values.

In our investigation the A. janata larvae reared on susceptible plays a significant role in the effectiveness of S. maculipennis genotype DPC-9 had significantly greater parasitisation by S. in parasitisation of A. janata larvae. maculipennis than the moderately resistant genotype 48-1 and In the present studies, the increased parasitism of A. janata resistant genotype GCH-4 tested under no-choice, dual-choice larvae by S. maculipennis on the susceptible genotype DPC-9 and multi-choice conditions, suggesting that host genotypes might be due to the fact that the host larvae was healthy on

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the susceptible genotype because lack of resistance to the genotype GCH-4 tested under no-choice, dual-choice and herbivore. multi-choice conditions, suggesting that host genotypes plays The results were in accordance with following workers: a significant role in the effectiveness of S. maculipennis in Sithanantham et al. (1982) [17] reported that the natural parasitisation of A. janata larvae. The genotype DPC-9 was parasitism of Heliothis larvae on pigeonpea cultivars by hospitable to S. maculipennis, better suited for use in hymenopteran Campoletis chlorideae Uchida (Family: integrated pest management to minimize the losses due to A. Ichneumonidae) and the dipteran Caraelia illota Curran janata in castor. (Family: Tachinidae) was higher on susceptible cultivar (42.5%) than the resistant cultivar (34.5%). 5. Reference Karimzadeh et al. (2013) [11] reported that Cotesia vestalis a 1. Agrawal AA. Mechanisms, ecological consequences and parasitoid of diamondback Plutella xylostella larvae, agricultural implications of tri-trophic interactions. preferred to parasitise P. xylostella larvae on a susceptible Current Opinion in Plant Biology. 2000; 3:329-335. plant compared with larvae on a partially resistant host plant 2. Annecke DP, Moran VC. and Mites of Cultivated when exposed to hosts for 24 hrs. Plants in South Africa. Butterworths, Durban, South Hugar et al. (2014) [9] reported that parasitisation of H. Africa. 1982, 338. armigera larvae was greater under no-choice, dual-choice 3. Annual Report – DOR. Directorate of Oil Seeds and/or multi-choice conditions on ICPL 87, ICPL 87119 and Research, Hyderabad, 1997, 1-2. ICPL 87091, which were susceptible to H. armigera, than on 4. Annual Report - DOR. Directorate of Oil Seeds the pod borer-resistant genotypes ICPL 332WR, ICPL 84060 Research, Hyderabad, 2003, 1-2. and ICPB 2042. 5. Cherian ME, Basheer M. The parasite complex of the In the present investigation percentage parasitism was greater castor semilooper Achaea janata L. Indian Journal of under no-choice condition as compared to that under multi- Entomology. 1947; 9:139-141. choice and dual choice conditions, which may be largely 6. Gaikwad BB, Bilapate GG. Field life-tables and key because of non-availability of alternate host plant to the mortality factors of Achaea janata Linn. on castor. females of S. maculipennis in no choice condition. When the Sciences. 1989; 98(5):331-339. parasitoids were given a choice of all the test genotypes under 7. Gaikwad BB, Bilapate GG. Parasitization of Achaea multi-choice conditions, greater numbers of parasitoids were janata and estimation of losses on castor. Journal of involved in seeking the host larvae, resulting in intraspecific Maharashtra Agricultural Universities. 1992; 17:195-196. competition, which might have resulted in lower levels of 8. Hoballah MEF, Turlings TCJ. Experimental evidence parasitism under multi-choice conditions. Hugar et al. (2014) that plants under caterpillar attack may benefit from [9] reported that percentage parasitisation of the Helicoverpa attracting parasitoids. Evolutionary Ecology Research. armigera larvae by the Campoletis chlorideae females was 2001; 3:553-565. greater under no-choice conditions than under multi choice 9. Hugar SV, Sharma HC, Goud KB. Pigeonpea genotypes conditions because of forced parasitisation under no-choice influence parasitisation preference and survival and conditions. development of the Helicoverpa armigera larval In our investigation the per cent parasitisation of A. janata parasitoid, Campoletis chlorideae. Springer Plus. 2014, larvae by S. maculipennis ranged from 13.75% to 96.25% in 3:378. free, dual and no choice condition. Prabhakar and Prasad 10. Jayaraj S. Resistance of castor to lepidopterous insects (2005) [13] reported that parasitisation levels of A. janata with reference to the effect of food plants of A. janata larvae by S. maculipennis ranged from 68-96%. Cherian and Guen. on its braconid parasite, Micropletis ophiusae R. Basheer (1947) [5] and Jayaraj (1969) [10] from Tamilnadu The Madras Agricultural Journal. 1969; 56:336-346. observed 56.2 and 51.8% parasitisation, respectively by S. 11. Karimzadeh J, Hardie J, Wright DJ. Plant resistance maculipennis on A. janata larvae. affects the olfactory response and parasitism success of Cotesia vestalis. Journal of Insect Behaviour. 2013; 4. Summary and Conclusion 26(1):35-50. Under free choice condition highest parasitisation of 65% was 12. Naik E. Tri-trophic interactions of castor semilooper, recorded on A. janata larvae, reared on susceptible genotype Achaea janata L and it’s endolarval parasitoid Snellenius DPC-9. Lowest parasitisation of 13.75% was recorded on on maculipennis (Szepligate). M. Sc. (Ag.) Thesis. Acharya A. janata larvae, reared on moderately resistant genotype 48- N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, Andhra 1, followed by resistant genotype GCH-4 (18.75%). Pradesh, India, 2017. Under dual choice condition, though no significant 13. Prabhakar M, Prasad YG. Biology and seasonal dynamics differences were recorded, relatively higher parasitisation of of Snellenius maculipennis (Szepligate) (Hymenoptera: 77.14% was recorded on larvae of A. janata, reared on Braconidae) a larval parasitoid of castor semilooper susceptible genotype DPC-9, was offered for parasitisation Achaea janata (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). and relatively lower parasitisation of 51.43% was recorded on Journal of Biological Control. 2005; 19(1):29-34. larvae of A. janata, reared on resistant genotype GCH-4. 14. Rai, Jayaramaiah. The castor semilooper, Achaea janata Under no choice condition highest parasitisation of 96.25% Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its control. was recorded on A. janata larvae, reared on DPC-9, was Journal of the Maharashtra Agricultural Universities. offered for parasitisation. Lowest parasitisation of 77.50% 1978; 3(1):73-74. was recorded on larvae of A. janata, reared on moderately 15. Sarma AK, Singh MP, Singh KI. Resistance of local resistant genotype 48-1, followed by resistant genotype GCH- castor genotypes to Achaea janata Linn. and Spodoptera 4 (87.50%). litura Fab. Journal of Applied Zoological Researches. The A. janata larvae reared on susceptible genotype DPC-9 2006; 17(2):179-181. had significantly greater parasitisation by S. maculipennis 16. Sharma HC, Pampapathy G, Sullivan DJ. Influence of than the moderately resistant genotype 48-1 and resistant host plant resistance on activity and abundance of natural

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enemies. Biological control of insect pests, 2003, 282- 296. 17. Sithanantham S, Rao VR, Reed W. The influence of host- plant resistance in chickpea on parasitism of H. armigera Hubner larvae. International Chickpea Newslett et. 1982; 6:21-22. 18. Somasekhar J, Shekharappa I, Patil BV, Patil SA. Occurrence of castor semilooper, Achaea janata Linnaeus and its parasitoid Microplitis maculipennis. Journal of Agrilculture Science. 1993; 6(2):200-202. 19. Talekar NS, Yang TC, Lee ST. Introduction of Diadegma semiclausum to control Diamond back moth in Taiwan. Diamond back moth and other cruciferous pests: proceeding of the second international work shop. Eds Talekar, N.S and Griggs, T.D. Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center, Taiwan. 1990, 263-270.

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