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M. Sampathkumar ¹, G. Ravi ²

Affiliations
1 Directorate of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500 030, Andhra Pradesh, IN
2 Department of Entomology, AC&RI, Killikulam, Tamil Nadu 628252, IN

Abstract

The egg parasitoids Trichogramma japonicum Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), Tetrastichus schoenobii Ferriere (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and Telenomus dignus (Gahan) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) are key biotic factors that regulate stem borer population. Augmentation and conservation of these parasitoids is an essential component of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies for stem borers. Similarly, use of sex pheromone technology either by monitoring or mass trapping is also gaining momentum in managing rice stem borers. The synergistic effect of indigenous blends of sex pheromone (YSB and YSB-PSB) on the behaviour of egg parasitoids of stem borer was studied through olfactometer assay. Among the three egg parasitoids tested T. dignus exhibited greater response for a longer period, to its host YSB sex pheromone compound (Z)-11 hexadecenal + (Z)-9 hexadecenal at 0.5 μl treatment dose with an attraction index (AI) per cent of 19.36 followed by T. japonicum (10.76) and T. shoenobii (6.35). The treatment doses at 1.0 and 2.0 μl resulted in lesser orientation. Similarly, for individual compound, (Z)-11 hexadecenal had elicited little attraction to all parasitoids studied. The YSB-PSB sex pheromone compound comprising (Z)-11-hexadecenal, (Z)-11-hexadecenol, (Z)-11- hexadecenyl acetate, and (Z)-9-hexadecenal, irrespective of treatment doses and parasitoid species, resulted in lesser or poor attraction. Results revealed that host synthetic YSB pheromone at lower concentration attracted and retained egg parasitoids for a longer period and elicited as a synomone and kairomone kind of source.

Keywords

Olfactometer, Parasitoids, Pheromone, Telenomus dignus, Tetrastichus schoenobii, Trichogramma japonicum.

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M. Sampathkumar ¹, S. V. Krishnamoorthy ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Sericulture, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641 003, Tamil Nadu, IN
2 Directorate of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500 030, Andhra Pradesh, IN

Abstract

Studies were carried out in the laboratory to assess the acute toxicity of new molecules viz., abamectin, emamectin benzoate, indoxacarb and spinosad to target pest, Earias vittella (Fab.) and selective toxicity to non-target insect, Trichogramma chilonis (Ishii) in terms of LD50/LC50 and LD95/LC95 and assessing risk hazards associated with the use of new molecules for integration in IPM. Acute toxicity of the four test molecules was found to be 0.00264, 0.00266, 0.09270 and 0.00188 μg larva-1 and were less toxic to T. chilonis than the target pest when analyzed through various risk assessment methods and can be recommended for IPM. Among the four methods evaluated, hazard ratio is the best as it accounted for the field dose as criteria for determining the toxicity of the insecticides tested.

Keywords

Abamectin, Emamectin Benzoate, Indoxacarb, Spinosad, Trichogramma chilonis, Earias Vittella.

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Chitra Shanker ¹, M. Sampathkumar ², V. Sunil ¹, S. Amudhan ¹, G. Sravanthi ³, B. Jhansirani ⁴, J. Poorani ⁵, Gururaj Katti ¹

Affiliations
1 ICAR - Indian Institute of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad - 500030, Telangana, IN
2 ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Hebbala, Bengaluru - 560024, Karnataka, IN
3 Mango Research Station, Nuzvid - 521201, Dr YSR Horticultural University, Andhra Pradesh, IN
4 ICAR - Indian Institute of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad - 500030, Telangana,, IN
5 ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Thayanur post, Tiruchirapalli - 620102, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Coccinellid species belonging to fifteen genera, under five tribes of the family Coccinellidae were collected and identified in this study. Harmonia (Fab.) was the most predominant in southern regions and Coccinella septumpunctata L. was more abundant in the northern and hill regions. Margalef richness index ranged from 9.07 to 14.00 while the species richness directly measured by Hills number H0 ranged from 5-10, with highest species richness present at Malan, Himachal Pradesh. The highest predation was observed in female H. octomaculata which fed on a maximum of 8.00, 7.42 and 6.59 brown planthopper (BPH), WBPH white backed planthopper (WBPH) and green leafhopper (GLH) respectively per day, while the lowest was observed in Propylea dissecta which fed on 3.18 to 4.50 hoppers per day. Coccinellids like H. octomaculata can be utilized in biological control programmes as a part of Integrated Pest Management to reduce pest outbreaks.

Keywords

Biodiversity, BPH, Coccinellids, Predatory Potential, Rice, WBPH.

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Ankita Gupta ¹, M. Mohan ², M. Sampathkumar ³, A. N. Shylesha ³, S. R. Venkatachalam ⁴, N. Bakthavatsalam ³

Affiliations
1 ICAR–National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Germplasm collection and characterization, IN
2 ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, 2491, H. A. Farm Post, Bellary Road, Hebbal, Bengaluru - 560 024, Karnataka, IN
3 ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, 2491, H. A. Farm Post, Bellary Road, Hebbal, Bengaluru - 560024, Karnataka, IN
4 TCRS, TNAU, Yethapur - 636 117, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

High percentage of Homalotylus turkmenicus Myartseva (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) parasitizing Hyperaspis maindroni Sicard (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) predating on the colonies of the Cassava Mealybug (CMB) Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is observed in southern India. In the present study, cautionary note on the presence of H. turkmenicus in the food web of insects associated with the CMB and brief diagnosis of the parasitoid is presented for quick identification. The parasitism of Hy. maindroni grubs by H. turkmenicus ranged from 65.67 to 80.95 per cent. However, no primary parasitoid of the cassava mealybug was observed so far.

Keywords

Cassava Mealybug, Hyperparasitoid, Predation.

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M. Sampathkumar ¹, M. Mohan ¹, A. N. Shylesha ¹, Sunil Joshi ¹, T. Venkatesan ¹, Ankita Gupta ¹, S. Vennila ², S. R. Venkatachalam ³, M. Vijayakumar ⁴, Madhu Subramanian ⁵, M. Yoganayagi ⁶, T. R. Ashika ¹, N. Bakthavatsalam ¹

Affiliations
1 ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Hebbal, Bengaluru 560 024, IN
2 ICAR-National Centre for Integrated Pest Management, New Delhi 110 102, IN
3 Tapioca and Castor Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Yethapur 636 119, IN
4 Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sandhiyur 636 204, IN
5 Directorate of Research, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur 680 656, IN
6 State Department of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu, Senthamangalam 637 409, IN

Abstract

Increased globalization and trade have made India a target for entry of many new alien insect pests. One such unintentional recent introduction is the cassava mealybug (CMB), Phenacoccus manihoti on cassava. Monitoring on the occurrence and damage potential of CMB on cassava was undertaken during 2020. Among the places surveyed, maximum damage score (4–5) and density of the mealybug (>1000/shoot tip) were recorded in Salem and Namakkal districts of Tamil Nadu and Thrissur district of Kerala. In the absence of effective native natural enemies and other methods of control, CMB might pose a major crisis to the cassava industry in India. The prospects of its suppression by classical biological control are quite vibrant and the initiative to import the parasitoid wasp, Anagyrus lopezi from Thailand and the Republic of Benin is already being taken by ICAR-NBAIR, Bengaluru, India.

Keywords

Biological Control, Damage, Invasive, Monitoring, Phenacoccus manihoti.

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S. N. Sushil ¹, M. Sampathkumar ¹, M. Mohan ², D. K. Nagaraju ³, J. P. Singh ³

Affiliations
1 ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Hebbal, Bengaluru 560024, Karnataka, IN
2 ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Hebbal, Bengaluru 560024, Karnataka
3 Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage, Faridabad 121001, IN

Abstract

In the increasing globalisation era, movement of goods and planting materials between countries being carried out at ease, are potential factors of introduction of invasive alien insects, diseases, and weeds in India. Infested fruits carried by international travellers, cargo / sea shipments of wood logs, food trade, and accidental introduction through air travels were the potential ways of entry of invasive alien insects into any country. The entry of alien invasive pest causes huge economic damage by way of direct crop loss. In addition, the panic situation to save the crops results in indiscriminate use of chemical insecticides that is harmful to applicator, farmer and consumer. Frequent application of insecticides leads to reduction in natural enemies and pollinators there by having an adverse impact on the ecosystem. The present paper critically reviewes the existing plant quarantine regulations in India, recent invasive and migratory insect pest problems and way forwards to safeguard Indian Agriculture.

Keywords

Destructive Insect Pest Act, Plant Quarantine Order, invasives pest, locust, bio-security

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