Abstract
ABSTRACT Bhendi or Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench (Malvaceae) is one of the important vegetable crops grown throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. It is ravaged by many insect pests right from germination to harvest. Among the insect pests, fruit borers viz., Earias spp. and Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) causes extensive damage to fruits and results in 50 per cent yield loss. Management with biocontrol agents is the most appreciated method for environmental safety. Among the various groups of biocontrol agents, braconid parasitoids are well known for the management of different lepidopteran larvae, including bhendi fruit borer complex. The braconid parasitoid, Bracon brevicornis Wesmael was found to be very effective against bhendi fruit borers. However, temperature and host insects play a major role in the developmental biology of the parasitoids which ultimately decides its efficacy. Experiments conducted on the effect of different temperature viz., 20, 25, 30 35o C and room temperature, on the developmental biology of B. brevicornis on different host larvae viz., E. vittella and H. armigera in comparison with the laboratory host, C. cephalonica revealed that the temperature regime of 25o C is highly suitable with a short life cycle of 8.22, 8.27 and 8.07 days respectively followed by room temperature (ranged between 22 to 32°C). Among the host larvae studied, C. cephalonica and E. vittella were found to be more suitable with maximum number of eggs, grubs, cocoons, adult males and females respectively. H. armigera was next in the order of preference recording less number of eggs, grubs, cocoons, and adults. The developmental period was also found to be less in C. cephalonica and E. vittella followed by H. armigera. Though the life cycle is very short at 35o C, the progeny production is comparatively less with more males than females. At 20o C the life cycle is prolonged with minimum progenies yielding more males than females.
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