Jesu Rajan

Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an important predator for several agriculturally important pests. The biology of E. furcellata has been done with several insect pests but there is no report on the laboratory host, Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton). Hence, this study is aimed to understand the biology of E. furcellata Wolff. and its role in mass rearing on laboratory reared pest C. cephalonica Stainton. The analyses showed that the total number of eggs of the predatory stink bug was 44±8 days, incubation period 6±1.05days and the life cycle passed through five nymphal instars with a total nymphal period of about 16±0.64days. Male and female longevity were 12±1.05days and 14±1.09days, respectively, and total longivity period for male and female lasted 32±0.19 and 36+1.90days, respectively. Moreover, this study revealed that C. cephalonica could be used as alternative host to mass rear E. furcellata when the main host is not available.

Functional response studies in the IV and V nymphal instars and the adult males and females of Rhynocoris kumarii Ambrose and Livingstone and R. marginatus (Fabricius) to the larvae of Euproctis fraterna (Moore) revealed similar Holling's type II curvilinear responses. The life stages of both R. kumarii and R. marginatus responded to the increasing prey density by killing more number of prey than prey killed at lower prey densities and exhibited the searching time decreased as the prey density was increased. The predation rate showed a steep rise from 1 to 16 prey densities. The maximum predations presented by ‘k’ values were always found restricted to the higher prey density. Attack ratios decreased as the prey density was increased. Negative correlations were obtained between the prey density and the handling and recovery times of the predator and the searching time. Though a curvilinear type II relationships were found between the number of prey killed and the prey density in...

Functional response of Acanthaspis quinquespinosa (Fabricius) to the termite, Coptotermes heimi (Wasmann), was studied in the laboratory. The adults of A. quinquespinosa responded to the increasing prey density of C. heimi by killing more number of them than killed at lower densities, thus exhibiting type II functional response. The searching capacity of A. quinquespinosa increased with increasing termite density and this reflected its predatory potential.

Functional response studies in normal and Synergy-505 exposed adult males and females of Rhynocoris marginatus (Fabricius) feeding on Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) revealed Holling's type II curvilinear decelerating responses. However, Synergy-505 caused less pronounced type II functional response with reduced number of prey killed, attack rate and searching time and prolonged handling and recovery times in both adult males and females of R. margiuatus reflecting reduced predatory potential.

The present investigation was conducted to study the biology and consumption rate of coccinellid predator, Coccinella transversalis (Fab.), on cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (Linn.) in the biocontrol laboratory during 2017-18 at NIPHM, Hyderabad. It was observed that, incubation period, grub period of four instars, pre pupal and pupal period was 2.5 ± 0.53, 15.1 ± 0.74, 1.2 ±0.46 and 3.1 ± 0.32 days, respectively. Oviposition period of female was 13.0 + 1.33 days with average fecundity of 205.2 ± 30.11eggs. 4 instar grubs consumed significantly more aphids when compared to 1, 2 and 3 instars. Predation rate of grub (total grub period) and adult was 75 84 and 48 50 aphids/ day. Total consumption of aphids during 1 to 4 instar grub stage was 268 to 329 aphids and 2352 to 2450 aphids. C. transversalis consumed total of 2695 to 2773 aphids during its total life period from grub to adult.

The predatory coccinellids are friends of farmers, help to manage plant-feeding insects from attaining their damaging population levels and could be effectively employed in bio intenssive pest management programmes. Farming practices that conserve biodiversity as ground fauna and pests’ natural enemies might be a practical alternative to manage pests in agricultural systems.The present study gives information on diversity and crop preference in organic vegetable farming systems at NIPHM, Rajendranagr, Hyderabad. Data on diversity of these predatory coccinellids was obtained by trapping, hand picking and netting during 2016-17. Total nine species of coccinellids were recorded in vegetable crops viz., brinjal, bhendi, cauliflower, cabbage, radish, mustard, tomato, cucumber, watermelon, peas, cowpea ridge gourd and bottle gourd. Among the crops surveyed, Coccinella transversalis (Fab.) and Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fab.) were the most dominant species, followed by Hippodamia variegata. ...

Bracon hebetor is a common parasitic wasp of Lepidopteran larvae and can attack coleopteran larvae. It is an ecto larval parasitoid belongs to the family Braconidae of order Hymenoptera. The wasp has wide host range and successful biocontrol agent recommended for the control of lepidopteran larvae in many crops and stored grains. Occurrence of fall army worm, Spodoptera frugiperda was reported recently in June 2018 in India. A study on Bracon hebetor parasitization effects on Spodoptera frugiperda in comparison with Spodoptera litura, Helicoverpa armigera and Corcyra cephalonica was conducted by providing them as alternate hosts under laboratory conditions at National Institute of Plant Health Management, Rajendranagar, India. The study revealed that when all the hosts were offered to Bracon hebetor it is parasitizing in the order of C. cephalonica followed by H. armigera, and then S. frugiperda, there was no parasitization on S. litura. When two hosts were offered Bracon hebetor pr...

Background The notorious invasive pest fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), native to Americas entered the Asian continent and was first time reported on maize from India in 2018. The predatory species Rhynocoris marginatus (Fab.) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) has been reported as a potential predator that preys on a number of economic pests in India such as Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), Spodoptera litura (Fabricius), Mythimna separata (Walker), and Anomis flava (Fabricius). The present study described the biology and feeding potential of the predator on S. frugiperda under laboratory conditions where temperature and relative humidity varied from 26 to 28 °C and 75–80%, respectively, and the photoperiod was L12: D12 hrs. Results Incubation period and the total nymphal/developmental period of the predator were 9.65 and 55.89 days, respectively. The percentage of survivorship of nymphs to adults was 62.50%. Females showed a higher longevity than males...

The reduviids, also known as assassin bugs, are predaceous cimicomorphan bugs with cosmopolitan distribution and belong to Reduviidae family. There are about 7,000 species of reduviids reported worldwide. Two reduviid bugs, Rhynocoris marginatus/R. fuscipes, are important and effective predators of insect pests in many agro-ecosystems viz.,soybean, groundnut, pigeonpea, cotton, castor, rice, cabbage, tobacco, pumpkin, okra, citrus, sugarcane, sesbania, apple. Predaceous reduviids are of considerable economic importance because they reduce the pest population by killing the host quickly with their highly proteolytic saliva. When the proteolytic saliva enters into the body the host insect it will melt the body tissues present in the host body and sucked out their body fluid with the help of their rostrum/ beak. These are often brightly coloured bugs with small head, long legs with very well developed segmented rostrum. One female bug lays around 1000-1200 eggs in its total lifeperiod,...

The impact of the insecticide, Synergy-505 (chlorpyrifos 50 % and cypermethrin 5 % E.C), on the functional response, predatory behavior, and mating behavior of a non-target reduviid, Rhynocoris marginatus (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), a potential biological control agent, were studied. Though both normal and Synergy-505-exposed R. marginatus exhibited Holling's type II curvilinear functional response, Synergy-505 caused a less pronounced type II functional response with reduced numbers of prey killed, attack rate, searching time, and prolonged handling time in 4th and 5th nymphal instars and adult males and females reflecting reduced predatory potential. Synergy-505 also delayed the predatory and mating events. The impacts of Synergy-505 on functional response, predatory behavior, and mating behavior were more evident at higher concentrations of Synergy-505.

National Institute of Plant Health Management maintains Organic Ecological Engineering field since 5 years for the purpose of research, training and popularization of the concept. It is key content in NIPHM curriculum for students, officials and farmers. Ecological engineering concept is beneficial to the farmers and environment in many directions and some of the findings like increase in natural enemy population and beneficial insects like pollinators in EE field over the years are presented.

The present investigation was conducted to study the biology and consumption rate of coccinellid predator, Coccinella transversalis (Fab.), on cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (Linn.) in the biocontrol laboratory during 2017-18 at NIPHM, Hyderabad. It was observed that, incubation period, grub period of four instars, pre pupal and pupal period was 2.5 ± 0.53, 15.1 ± 0.74, 1.2 ±0.46 and 3.1 ± 0.32 days, respectively. Oviposition period of female was 13.0 + 1.33 days with average fecundity of 205.2 ± 30.11eggs. 4 th instar grubs consumed significantly more aphids when compared to 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd instars. Predation rate of grub (total grub period) and adult was 75-84 and 48-50 aphids/ day. Total consumption of aphids during 1 st to 4 th instar grub stage was 268 to 329 aphids and 2352 to 2450 aphids. C. transversalis consumed total of 2695 to 2773 aphids during its total life period from grub to adult.

Introduction Tomatoes are used for making curries, soup, juice, pickles, jams, ketchup, puree, sauces and in many other ways. It is also used as a salad vegetable where pesticide residue free fruit is essential. Tomato is mainly grown as Rabi crop in the plains of India. However, in the hilly region it can also be grown as a summer and rainy season crop so throughout the year it is available [1]. Ecological Engineering field at NIPHM, maintained in the last 4 years for the purpose of demonstration and training of organic agriculture created an ecosystem favourable for beneficial insects. The field being maintained without the use of artificial external inputs such as chemical fertilizers and pesticides achieved sustainable productivity. The techniques like Agro Ecosystem Analysis (AESA) and Ecological Engineering (EE) based Plant Health Management (PHM), restored and maintaining the soil fertility, so the field produces quality products without chemical residues. These are achieved by following below ground and above ground EE, poly culture, crop rotation, recycling of plant residues, proper tillage and water management. The field was incorporated with organic fertilizers like, Farm Yard Manure (FYM), Vermicompost and biofertilizers, particularly mycorrhiza which plays an important role in improving soil health and uptake of important macro and micronutrients by the crops [2] Biofertilizers like PSB (Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria) + KSB (Potassium Solubilizing Bacteria) + ZSB (Zinc Solubilizing Bacteria) are added to reduce the reliance on chemical fertilizers. These bio fertilizers supply plant nutrients at optimum levels, which in turn supress development of pests. Addition of excess nutrients to the plants also leads to many problems, for example excess of available nitrogen increases the susceptibility of plants to outbreak of sucking insect pests like aphids, whiteflies etc. Nutrient stress from insufficient plant nutrients can also cause plants to be more susceptible to diseases and insect-pests [3-6]. Careful planning and execution of soil fertility program is an important component of insect pest management. A number of insect pests i.e., about 100 insect and 25 non insect pest species are reported to ravage the tomato fields [7].