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P. C. Jadav ¹, R. D. Pathak ¹, C. K. Borad ¹, B. M. Parasharya ¹

Affiliations
1 AINP on Agricultural Ornithology, Anand Agricultural University, Anand 388 110, Gujarat, IN

Abstract

Community structure of insectivorous birds on insects infesting cabbage, (Brassica oleracea) was studied at Anand, Gujarat during January – March 2012. Bird activity in the field was observed through binoculars during 07:00 to 10:00 hrs and evening 16:00 to 18:00 hrs. Standard field guides were used to identify the birds. Birds recorded from cabbage fields represented three foraging guilds: ground feeder (4 spp.), aerial feeder (2 spp.) and canopy feeder (8 spp.). The canopy feeding species (n=8) were more compared to ground (n=4) and aerial feeding (n=2) species. Nine species were insectivorous whereas five species were omnivorous. A Total 14 bird species were recorded feeding mainly on upon cabbage aphids, (Lipaphis erysimi) from field. Red-wattled Lapwing was the most dominant and frequently observed species. Abundance of aphids as well as birds species activity was significantly high in pesticide free plot (27.22 ± 46.44 aphids/plant and 9.75 ± 11.63 bird numbers, respectively) compared to treated plots (9.15 ± 7.76 aphids/plant and 4 ± 2.17 bird numbers, respectively). Birds can act as bio-control agent for management of insect pests of cabbage crop and can be encouraged for their abilities to regulate the insect pests of crop pests.

Keywords

Brassica oleracea, Bird Community Structure, Predatory Bird, Biocontrol Agent, Cabbage Aphid, Lipaphis erysimi, Redwattled Lapwing, Vanellus indicus.

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B. M. Parasharya ¹, V. A. Pathan ²

Affiliations
1 AINP on Agricultural Ornithology, Anand Agricultural University, Anand 388 110, Gujarat, IN
2 Netafim Irrigation India Pvt. Ltd., 302, 'Taksh Paradigm', Old Padra Road, Vadodara 390 015, Gujarat, IN

Abstract

The spider fauna of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) was studied at Anand district, Gujarat during summer of 2000 and 2001. A total 2943 specimens of spiders were collected comprising of 61species belonging to 37 genera and 12 families. Using quadrate sampling method, 48 species belonging to 29 genera and 10 families were collected, whereas, in pitfall trap, 35 species belonging to 25 genera and 10 families were collected. Thirty-two species were common in both the collection methods whereas, 16 species were exclusively found from the quadrate method and three (3) species were exclusively recorded from pitfall trap. Additional 10 species were recorded from general collection from the other lucerne fields. Araneidae was the largest family qualitatively followed by Thomisidae and Salticidae. Overall species richness, diversity index and evenness were almost same during both the years. During both the years, species richness and diversity indices showed increasing trend up to harvesting.

Keywords

Lucerne, Medicago sativa, Spider Fauna, Araneidae, Species Diversity, Distribution, Gujarat.

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D. M. Rathod ¹, B. M. Parasharya ¹

Affiliations
1 AINP on Agricultural Ornithology, Anand Agricultural University, Anand-388 110, Gujarat, IN

Abstract

Feeding potential of three dragonfly species was worked out on the basis of numerical value and fresh prey weight under laboratory condition at Anand (Gujarat) during 2013. Adult dragonflies, viz., Pantala flavescens, Brachythemis contaminata and Bradinopyga geminata were used as predator and Nilaparvata lugens, Aphis craccivora and Aedes sp. were used as prey. Daily biomass consumption of P. flavescens, B. contaminata and B. geminata were 224.51 mg, 149.35 mg and 169.34 mg respectively. The prey numbers consumed by each dragonfly species were significantly different. However, irrespective of prey species biomass consumption was the same. Feeding potential of the dragonflies was positively correlated with their body weight. Feeding potential of females of P. flavescens and B. contaminata was slightly higher than their respective males.

Keywords

Feeding potential, Pantala flavescens, Brachythemis contaminata, Bradinopyga geminata, Nilaparvata lugens, Aedes sp., Aphis craccivora, Biomass consumption.

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B. M. Parasharya ¹, J. F. Dodia ¹, D. N. Yadav ¹, R. C. Patel ¹

Affiliations
1 Dept. of Entomology, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand 388 110, IN

Abstract

The castor semilooper, Achaea janata Linn. appeared in epidemic form during September-October, 1985. A total of eighteen species of birds were recorded feeding on the A. janata larvae. About 300 Rosy Pastors, Sturnus roseus fed on A. janata for 8 days. Due to the heavy bird predation on large size larvae, pupal count was reduced. Egg parasitism by Trichogramma chilonis Ishii and Telenomous sp. progressively increased from 50.0 to 92.2 per cent. Despite heavy egg parasitism, larval density reached as high as 8.91 per plant. Heavy predation by birds and higber egg parasitism had failed to control the population of A. janata in epidemic situation.

Keywords

Achaea janata, Trichogramma chilonis, Egg Parasitism, Sturnus roseus, Bird Predation.

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B. M. Parasharya ¹, Raju V. Vyas ², B. H. Patel ³

Affiliations
1 AINP on Agricultural Ornithology, Anand Agricultural University, Anand - 388 110, Gujarat, IN
2 Sayajibaug Zoo, Vadodara–390 018, Gujarat, IN
3 6, Patel Society, Vyayamshala Road, Anand–388 001, Gujarat, IN

Abstract

Specimens of Latrodectus hasseltii were collected from Gujarat State, Western India during 1970 to July 2015. All the records of its occurrence were placed together to establish its wide spread distribution and habitat association. It showed higher association with forest (36.6%) and wasteland (33.3%) habitats compared to agricultural (23.3%) and human residential (6.6%) habitats. L. hasseltii has been recorded from 11 forest areas, out of 13 forest areas surveyed intensively in Gujarat State. Out of nine crops studied in Gujarat State, L. hasseltii was recorded only from three crops (castor, cotton and lucerne). 

Keywords

Abundance, Agricultural Crops, Distribution, Gujarat State, Habitat Association, Latrodectus hasseltii, Red-Back Spider, Western India.

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V. B. Rohmare ¹, Darshana M. Rathod ¹, B. M. Parasharya ¹

Affiliations
1 AINP on Agricultural Ornithology, Anand Agricultural University, Anand - 388110, Gujarat, IN

Abstract

Odonates diversity was studied in Paddy field of central Gujarat during 2012 to 2015. Total 39 species belonging to 25 genera, under six families and two suborders were recorded. Total 17 species of Zygoptera (damselflies) and 22 species of Anisoptera (dragonflies) were recorded. Community structure and population dynamics of adult odonates were studied at Lingda village during July to December, 2012 through monitoring their population by point count method on three microhabitats (paddy field, village pond and fish farm). Total seventeen species were encounterd in the point count. Diversity index (H’) was highest (2.13) for paddy fields followed by fish farm (2.07) and village pond (1.99). Evenness value of the odonates also ranged between 0.7 and 0.8. Total four species (Viz. Ditch Jewel (25.0%), Green Marsh Hawk (17%), Ruddy Marsh Skimmer and Coromandal Marsh Dart (16% each) were dominant species in all three microhabitats. Both the suborders Anisoptera (dragonfly) and Zygoptera (damselfly) showed similar trend of population fluctuation during the study. Relative abundance was higher and remained constant during 4^th week of September to 2^nd week of October.

Keywords

Central Gujarat, Damselfly, Diversity, Dragonfly, Odonates, Paddy Crop (Oryza sativa L.), Population Dynamics.

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B. M. Parasharya ¹, Raju V. Vyas ², Darshana M. Rathod ¹, V. M. Mistry ³

Affiliations
1 AINPVPM: Agricultural Ornithology, Anand Agricultural University, Anand – 388110, Gujarat, IN
2 Shashwat Apartment, 23 Anandnagar Society, BPC Road, Alkapuri, Vadodara - 390007, Gujarat, IN
3 Darbar Pole, Vaso, Kheda – 387380, Gujarat, IN

Abstract

The widow spiders, of the genus Latrodectus are amongst the best known spiders on the earth, all members of this genus are considered venomous and largest amongst the comb-footed spiders. In India, four species are recorded from the genus, including Latrodectus hasselti. The species L. hasselti is considered to be a rare species and this species was recorded from most parts of Gujarat State. As this spider has medical significance due to its neurotoxins reporting of its habitat occupancy and geographic location becomes important for taking up any mitigation action in future. Recently the species was seen in ten different localities of South Gujarat. Out of ten records, two are from forest area, two from wasteland, four from residential area, one from agricultural land and one from grassland. The earlier published records and present records of the species show that this species is very widely distributed in entire Gujarat State, within various types of habitats from dry-arid to moist forests and grassland to agricultural land and further within human habitats, too.

Keywords

Gujarat, Latrodectus hasselti, Record.

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