American International Journal of Available online at http://www.iasir.net Research in Formal, Applied & Natural Sciences ISSN (Print): 2328-3777, ISSN (Online): 2328-3785, ISSN (CD-ROM): 2328-3793

AIJRFANS is a refereed, indexed, peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary and open access journal published by International Association of Scientific Innovation and Research (IASIR), USA (An Association Unifying the Sciences, Engineering, and Applied Research)

Introduction of Vogtia malloi syn. Arcola malloi as biocontrol agent of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in Devipatan Division (U.P.). Richa Tripathi+, D.S. Shukla+,Akanksha Tripathi++, ,H.D.Dwivedi+++ +Botany Deptt, MLK PG College, Balrampur, U.P., India + + Zoology Department, M.L.K.P.G. College, Balrampur, U.P., India +++ Botany Department, S.V.N.P.G. College, Kalan Sultanpur, U.P., India Abstract: Eichhornia crassipes (Water hyacinth) is a major aquatic weed of India. It is very tough to control is by chemicals because of their harmful side effects. Present study shows the easy and ecofriendly management of this weed by the Vogtia malloi syn. Arcola malloi.

I. Introduction Weeds can be defined as plants growing out of place and of course they are the biggest natural enemies of biodiversity. Originally these weeds were introduced as ornamental plants for ponds because of their attractive flowers or foliage, or their ability to grow quickly. The intentional and unintentional dumping of pond plants, water and unwanted fish has led to the infestation of natural waterways. These weeds often out-compete local species and seriously affect the local ecology. Not only do they affect native wildlife but can also impact on recreational activities such as swimming, boating and fishing and can ruin the aesthetic appeal of the water body. As a weed management method, biological control offers an ecofriendly approach that complements conventional methods. Vogtia malloi was introduced to the United States in the 1970s to attack the alligator weed ( philoxeroides)1. Materials and Methods About the Weed- Seven species of the genus Eichhornia are found worldwide2. In India Eichhornia crassipes is the most noxious aquatic weed. Eichhornia crassipes (Water hyacinth) is a free floating perennial aquatic plant which is native to tropical and subtropical South America. It has been widely introduced throughout North America, Asia, Australia, and Africa. It can be found in large water reservoirs allover India. About the Insect- The moth Vogtia malloi (: ) was named in 1961 when Jose A. Pastrana3 described it as a new genus and species. Vogtia may be recognized by the following characteristics: large labial palpi, three times the diameter of the eye, pointing forward with loose, thick scales and an obtuse third joint; no maxillary palpi are present; ocelli are present; the front wing has smooth scales, a slightly curved edge, and ten veins. The wingspan is 20-22 mm and the wings are straw-colored, dashed with brown scales on the edge and tip of the wing. This insect was discovered by George Vogt in his surveys in South America for natural enemies of alligator weed for possible introduction into the United States. Vogtia was one of the four considered by Vogt4 (1961) as a major suppressant of alligator weed in South America.

II. Experimental Methodology Mass cultivation of Vogtia malloi- Inoculam of Vogtia malloi5 (Fig.1) was obtained from the ‘Mewalal Pond’ of Balrampur, U.P. One pair of adult Vogtia malloi was placed each on ten plants in the cultivation pond of Suaon Nalah near Naharbalaganj, district Balrampur, U.P. Vogtia malloi inserted eggs either singly or in group of up to 25 inside the petiole. About 30°C is optimal for feeding and oviposition. Eggs were hatched in 17 days and larvae fed and developed inside the petioles. Fully grown larvae were moved into the water near the upper root zone, created a ball around them formed from lateral roots and attached to the main root axis. The larvae possibly use roots as Oxygen source. After 75 days, adult insects were harvested twice a week. Introduction of Vogtia malloi - Vogtia malloi was introduced in the ‘Test Pond pond of MLK PG College, Balrampur, U.P., as well as over 4 plants of Eichhornia in the aquarium of Zoology department, M.L.K. P.G. College. The pond was highly infested with Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). One pair of adult Vogtia malloi was placed each on ten plants in the test pond of ‘MLK PG College, Balrampur, U.P. Observations-

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After 25 days there were seen larvae of the insect. The adult was seen after 15 days thereafter. Being a nocturnal moth Vogtia malloi oviposited on terminal leaves. Larvae tunneled into stems, and later exit at irregular intervals, re-entered and thereby damaged a number of stems as they passed through five instars. Pupation was inside the hollow stem, and there were 3-5 generations per year. Extensive stem collapse resulted from the feeding of V. malloi and it developed satisfactorily on both rooted and free floating plants.

III. Results and Discussion Very encouraging results were obtained to manage this noxious weed in the form of multiple lesions and necrosis of leaves as well as total feeding of leaves of Water hyacinth. Preliminary quantitative data from test pond indicate a reduction in leaf length, leaf laminar area and fresh weight at several sites and general increases in larval mining, feeding scars and adult weevil density. About 48% reduction in shoot biomass was recorded in the Eichhornia plants grown in the aquarium of the Zoology Department, M.L.K. P.G. College as well as in the test pond of MLK PG College, Balrampur.

[1]. Coombs, E. M., et al., Eds. (2004). Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Corvallis: Oregon State University Press, 146. [2]. Holm LG, Plucknett DL, Pancho JV, Herberger JP. 1977. The world's worst weeds: distribution and biology. Honolulu: University Press of Hawaii. 609 pp. [3]. Pastrana, J. A. 1961. Una nueva Phycitidae (Lep.) parasito de la “lagunilla. Revista de Investigaciones Agricolas 15: 265-272. [4]. Vogt, G. B. 1961. Exploration for natural enemies of alligator weed and related plants in South America. U. S. Dep. Agric, Agric. Res. Serv., Entomol. Res. Div., Special Report PI-5, 50p. [5]. Brown, J. L. and N. R. Spencer. 1973. Vogtia malloi, a newly introduced phycitine moth (: Pyralidae) to control alligatorweed. Environmental Entomology 2: 519-523.

Fig.1 - Adult Vogtia malloi

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