Insect Pest Complex Research Articles

Screening of Some Long Duration Pigonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) Genotypes against Major Insect Pests in Varanasi

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.), an important grain-legume of semi arid tropics is severely attacked by many insect species, resulting in losses of quantity and nutritional quality. In the present study, fifteen long duration genotypes of pigeonpea were assessed against the attack of M. obtusa, C. gibbosa and H. armigera for two years (2017-2018 and 2018-19) in Varanasi. Resistance to pigeonpea genotypes was evaluated by measuring pod and grain damage per cent in accordance with their yields. Pest susceptibility rating revealed that none of the genotypes fell in resistant/highly-resistant categories. However, genotypes IVT705, IVT-706 and IVT-907 were found to least susceptible for all the three insect pests (except for IVT-907 for C. gibbosa) and also showed higher yields. In other words, yield losses were lower in genotypes which shown less pod/grain damage by insects. Pod damage of some other genotypes viz. IVT-208 (M. obtusa-31.3%, C. gibbosa-12.6%, H. armigera-4.8%), IVT-12-904 (M. obtusa-29.5%, C. gibbosa-12.8%, H. armigera-7.3%) also accounted for their lower levels of susceptibility to the insect pest complex.

Screening of Some Long Duration Pigonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) Genotypes against Major Insect Pests in Varanasi

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.), an important grain-legume of semi arid tropics is severely attacked by many insect species, resulting in losses of quantity and nutritional quality. In the present study, fifteen long duration genotypes of pigeonpea were assessed against the attack of M. obtusa, C. gibbosa and H. armigera for two years (2017-2018 and 2018-19) in Varanasi. Resistance to pigeonpea genotypes was evaluated by measuring pod and grain damage per cent in accordance with their yields. Pest susceptibility rating revealed that none of the genotypes fell in resistant/highly-resistant categories. However, genotypes IVT-705, IVT-706 and IVT-907 were found to least susceptible for all the three insect pests (except for IVT-907 for C. gibbosa) and also showed higher yields. In other words, yield losses were lower in genotypes which shown less pod/grain damage by insects. Pod damage of some other genotypes viz. IVT-208 (M. obtusa-31.3%, C. gibbosa-12.6%, H. armigera¬-4.8%), IVT-12-904 (M. obtusa-29.5%, C. gibbosa-12.8%, H. armigera¬-7.3%) also accounted for their lower levels of susceptibility to the insect pest complex.

Monitoring of major insect pests, correlation and yield loss in pearl millet

Investigations were carried out at Main Pearl Millet Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Jamnagar (Gujarat) during kharif 2021 revealed that shoot fly, Atherigona soccata, stem borer, Chilo partellus, and ear head worm, Helicoverpa armigera were the major insect-pests in pearl millet. Significant correlation was found of shoot fly, stem borerand Helicoverpa armigera with different weather parameters. There was a considerable loss in yield due to insect-pest complex in pearl millet

Effect of temperature & humdity on population dynamics of insects' pest complex of cotton crop.

The current study was directed to investigate the effect of temperature and humidity on insect pest complex of cotton. This study was carried out on the farmer field of a farmer of MouzaMehraywala tehsil and district Rajanpur southern part of the Punjab, Pakistan (29.1044° N, 70.3301° E) in the month of May, 2019 to November 2019. The climatic conditions of the study site were; a Rajanpur lie on 96m above sea level Rajanpur has a desert climate. During the year, there is virtually no rainfall. The average temperature in Rajanpur is 26.0°C | 78.8°F. Precipitation here is about 205 mm / 8.1 inch per year. Our results indicate that’s the correlation of temperature (minimum and maximum), humidity (minimum and maximum), rainfall and weather condition (clear or cloud), it is clear that except temperature there is a positive correlation of jassid population. While among the relation of jassid with different factor there is very weak relation with jassid population regarding temperature (-0.001), the relation of humidity, rainfall and sky condition with jassid population is positive and moderate (0.520, 0.668 & 0.575 respectively), while the relation of jassid population among these factor is significant except temperature. The results indicate that’s the correlation of temperature, humidity, rainfall and weather condition, it is clear that there is positive correlation of thrips population. While among the relation of thrips with different factor there is very weak relation of thrips population with temperature (.103), the relation of humidity, rainfall and sky condition with thrips population is positive and moderate (.515.751& .577 respectively), while the relation thrips population among these factor is significant except temperature. The results indicate that’s correlation of temperature, humidity, rainfall and weather condition, it is clear that there is positive correlation of Whitefly population. While among the relation of Whitefly with different factors there is very moderate relation of Whitefly population with temperature (.076), the relation of humidity, rainfall and sky condition with Whitefly population is negative and moderate (-.051.-.368 & -.559 respectively), while the relation Whitefly population among these factor is significant except temperature.

Effectiveness of insecticides against pests of white cabbage grown using seedling technology

Among the two methods of growing white cabbage, the seedling technology is more widely used in North-Western Russia. Watering seedlings in cassettes with a systemic formulation of neonicotinoid insecticide Actara, WDG (250 g/kg thiamethoxam) prior to planting has been developed to protect white cabbage from early spring pests: flea beetles of the genus of Phyllotreta and the cabbage root fly. This approach is widely used by commercial growers and its efficacy requires monitoring under current conditions because of a possibility of resistance development. Testing Actara, WDG in 2019 and 2021 at the experimental field of All-Russian Institute of Plant Protection didn’t show any significant decrease of biological effectiveness of seedling treatment. Testing biological effectiveness of systemic insecticides belonging to the chemical class of carbamates Lannate, WSP (250 g/kg metomil) and the new class isoxazolines isocycloseram was carried out in parallel. Biological effectiveness of the latter insecticide was higher compared to Actara against the flea beetles and the cabbage root fly during a 21-day period. In addition, plant infestation with diamondback moth decreased. Efficacy indices of Lannate were significantly lower. Isocycloseram shows a good potential for inclusion into the Index of Registered Formulations of the Russian Federation to protect cabbage against a complex of insect pests. Having an additional active ingredient available to farmers will be begenicial for developing rotation schemes to combat pest resistance.

Intercropping Winter Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.) Has the Potential to Lessen the Impact of the Insect Pest Complex

Winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus) is a global major crop used for the production of vegetable oil. Typically sown in late summer and grown throughout winter and spring, it allows for interesting cultural practices, such as frost-sensitive intercropping with companion plants. This practice not only provides nitrogen resources much needed by the crop in the spring, but companion plants can also prevent weed growth in autumn, thereby reducing common herbicide use. Additionally, intercropping has the potential to protect the crop from insect pests. During winter 2019–2020, B. napus was grown alone (i.e., as a control) or intercropped with a mixture of faba bean (Vicia faba) and grass pea (Lathyrus sativus); because of the unusually clement weather conditions, the faba bean did not freeze, which allowed for the evaluation of the impact of these companion plants on the insect pest complex in spring. Insect damage by the beetles Psylliodes chrysocephala, Ceutorhynchus napi, and Brassicogethes aeneus was assessed in both treatments. The larval density of P. chrysocephala was significantly lower in the crop grown with service plants. Egg laying and damage by C. napi were significantly reduced when B. napus was intercropped, and the number of B. aeneus captured was significantly lower in the presence of service plants than in the control. Moreover, the yield from oilseed rape was significantly higher in the part of the field with service plants than in the pure crop control. The underlying mechanisms are only partially understood, but intercropping winter oilseed rape with frost-resistant service plants seems to be an ecologically sound practice with a very high level of potential to reduce insect pest pressure and increase crop yield. This may eventually reduce our reliance on chemical inputs in one of the most treated crops.

Bioefficacy of newer insecticide molecules against sucking insect pest complex in okra and their effect on predators

Bioefficacy of newer insecticide molecules against sucking insect pest complex in okra and their effect on predators

ANALYSIS OF THE SPECIES COMPOSITION OF PREVAILING PESTS OF Araliaceae JUSS. IN KYIV, UKRAINE

For the first time in Kyiv, Ukraine, the insect pest complex is studied of six open-ground woody plants of Araliaceae Juss. (Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Maxim., Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus (Rupr. and Maxim.) S. Y. Hu., Hedera helix L., Aralia cordata Thunb., Aralia elata (Miq.) Seem., Kalopanax septemlobus (Thunb.) Koizd.). We monitored collections of the three botanical gardens in the city, and qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed the diversity of pests. Five insect species were found that damaged the vegetative and generative organs of plants over the vegetative season: Sciaphobus squalidus Gyll., Cteniopus flavus Scop., Aphis fabae Scop., Cetonia aurata L., Pulvinaria Targ. Four different trophic groups of insects damaged the aboveground plant parts, causing injuries to the assimilation apparatus, young shoots, buds, and generative organs, respectively. The phytophages and their impact on the plants varied depending on the species, aggressive behavior, and the plants’ reactions to injury.

Evaluation of IPM module against major insect pests of green gram, Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek in lower Gangetic plains of West Bengal

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of integrated management practices over farmers’ practices against insect pest complex of green gram (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) during kharif season in the ‘A-B’ Block Farm of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya in 2019. The results revealed that the incidence of all of the insect pests viz. whitefly, pulse aphid, jassid, flower thrips, gram pod borer, spotted pod borer, blue butterfly, plant bug and pod bug was recorded comparatively less in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plot as compared to farmers’ practices. The seed yield of green gram was also recorded a higher (1382.22 kg ha-1) in plots treated with integrated approaches as compared to farmer’s practices (476.94 kg ha-1). IPM module recorded maximum cost benefit ratio along with higher gross return and net profit as against farmers’ practices.

Critical role of potassium and sodium salts against insect-pest complex of rice

A field experiment was carried out at Rice Research Station, Chinsurah, Hooghly during rainy (kharif) season, 2016 and 2017 to evaluate the effects of potassium and sodium salts on whorl maggot, leaf folder and yellow stem borer of rice. The yield and yield attributing characters were observed and benefit cost ratio was calculated. The potassium salts viz. potassium chloride (KCl), potassium nitrate (KNO3), potassium sulfate (K2SO4), potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) and sodium salt as sodium chloride (NaCl) were applied by three modes viz. seed soaking for 12 hours before sowing, seedling root dipping for twelve hours before transplanting and foliar sprays at 30 and 50 days after transplanting (DAT). The experimental results revealed that the foliar spray with 1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate salt at 30 and 50 DAT was the best performer against rice insect-pests by lowering down the infestation of leaf folder, dead heart and white ear head and as well as responses for good yield. Maximum benefit was recorded with foliar spray of 1% sodium chloride salt.

Diversity and impacts of key grassland and forage arthropod pests in China and New Zealand: An overview of IPM and biosecurity opportunities

For both New Zealand and China, agriculture is integral to the economy, supporting primary production in both intensive and extensive farming systems. Grasslands have important ecosystem and biodiversity functions, as well providing valuable grazing for livestock. However, production and persistence of grassland and forage species (e.g. alfalfa) is not only compromised by overgrazing, climate change and habitat fragmentation, but from a range of pests and diseases, which impose considerable costs on growers in lost production and income. Some of these pest species are native, but increasingly, international trade is seeing the rapid spread of exotic and invasive species. New Zealand and China are major trading partners with significant tourist flow between the two countries. This overview examines the importance of grasslands and alfalfa in both countries, the current knowledge on the associated insect pest complex and biocontrol options. Identifying similarities and contrasts in biology and impacts along with some prediction on the impact of invasive insect species, especially under climate change, are possible. However, it is suggested that coordinated longitudinal ecological research, carried out in both countries using sentinel grass and forage species, is critical to addressing gaps in our knowledge of biology and impact of potential pests, along with identifying opportunities for control, particularly using plant resistance or biological control.

Diversity of Insect Fauna Associated with Summer and Monsoon Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.

Background: Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.], is one of an important pulse grown throughout the world. The cowpea crop helps in fixation of atmospheric nitrogen; besides, it supports the natural enemies’ population. The study on diversity of pestiferous insect associated with cowpea crop help to understand the population dynamics of these pests depending on location and seasons. These diversity studies are useful to formulate management practices which are area specific.Methods: An extensive survey was conducted at different locations (Udaipur, Bhilwara, Banswara, Chittorgarh and Pratapgarh) of southern Rajasthan during summer (Zaid) and monsoon (Kharif) seasons of 2019 and 2020. The randomly selected plants were observed for pestiferous insect population to calculate different diversity indices.Result: The insect pest complex of cowpea categorized into 5 orders viz., Hemiptera, Thysanoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera and Lepidoptera comprising 14 families. The pestiferous fauna includes population of flea beetle, jassids, whiteflies, sap sucking bugs, leaf miner, thrips, aphids, spotted pod borer and lycaenid caterpillar. During the study, it was found that overall species richness was more during the monsoon season as compared to that during the summer. The relative diversity of aphids was the maximum on account of the clumped distribution and exponential growth. In 2019, the maximum diversity was recorded in Banswara (Simpson index= 6.49 and Shannon index= 2.04) during monsoon; whereas, in 2020, the maximum diversity was recorded in Bhilwara (Simpson index= 4.03 and Shannon index= 1.81) during summer.

Record of insect pests along with their natural enemies on chilli crop at Bilaspur

The experiment was carried out at horticultural research farm of BTC CARS, Bilaspur during Rabi 2019-20. Studies on insect pest complex of chilli along with their natural enemies revealed that thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis), aphid, (Aphis gossypii), mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus) and jassids (Amrasca bigutulla bigutulla) as sucking insect pest, while tobacco caterpillar (Spodoptera litura) as defoliator and fruit borer (Helicoverpa armigera) were observed as the major insect pests on chilli. The activity of aphid (0.51) was observed during fourth week of November (47th SMW) and the activity of jassids (0.40) were observed during second week of November (46th SMW) whereas, the activity of tobacco caterpillar (0.70) were observed during second week of January (2nd SMW) and the activity of fruit borer (0.30) were observed during second week of March (11th SMW). During all the stage of crop, the natural enemies viz., lady bird beetle (Cheilomenes sexmaculata, Coccinella transversalis, Coccinella septempunctata) and spider (Lynx spp.) were observed.

Effect of gamma irradiation and subsequent cold storage on the development and predatory potential of seven spotted ladybird beetle Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus (Coleoptera; Coccinellidae) larvae

Seven spot ladybird beetle, (Coccinella septempunctata) is a widely distributed natural enemy of soft-bodied insect pests especially aphids worldwide. Both the adult and larvae of this coccinellid beetle are voracious feeders and serve as a commercially available biological control agent around the globe. Different techniques are adopted to enhance the mass rearing and storage of this natural enemy by taking advantage of its natural ability to withstand under extremely low temperatures and entering diapause under unfavorable low temperature conditions. The key objective of this study was to develop a cost effective technique for enhancing the storage life and predatory potential of the larvae of C. septempunctata through cold storage in conjunction with the use of nuclear techniques, gamma radiations. Results showed that the host eating potential of larvae was enhanced as the cold storage duration was increased. Gamma irradiation further enhanced the feeding potential of larvae that were kept under cold storage. Different irradiation doses also affected the development time of C. septempuntata larvae significantly. Without cold storage, the lower radiation doses (10 and 25 GY) prolonged the developmental time as compared to un-irradiated larvae. Furthermore, the higher dose of radiation (50GY) increased the developmental time after removal from cold storage. This study first time paves the way to use radiation in conjunction with cold storage as an effective technique in implementation of different biological control approaches as a part of any IPM programs

Scaphoideus titanus Ball, 1932 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) - a new invasive pest of grapes on the territory of the Donbass

In August 2019, in the course of reconnaissance monitoring of insect pest complex of grapevine in the territory of the Donbass, the invasive North American grapevine leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus Ball, 1932 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) was first recorded. A pest outbreak has been registered in the territory of the Novoazovsk region. A targeted search for the species in other areas ended up with a negative result. Scaphoideus titanus is a specialized pest of grapevine and a pathogenic agent of Grapevine flavescence doree - phytoplasma 'Candidatus Phytoplasma vitis' (Phytoplasma vitis), included in the list of pests of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) and the Common List of Quarantine Pests of the Eurasian Economic Union. The paper presents information on the history of invasion and distribution of this leafhopper throughout Europe, host plants, biology, life cycle and pathways of phytoplasma ‘ Candidatus Phytoplasma vitis’. The range expansion of S. titanus threatens with penetration of the causative agent of grapevine flavescence doree into the Donbass and requires purposeful studies on the features of biology, distribution and population condition of grapevine leafhopper in the region.

Insect Pest complex of jackfruit in South India

A survey of jackfruit fields located in the southern region of India was carried out during 2013–2016 to find out the occurrence, nature of damage and abundance of various pests on jackfruit. Fifty-one species of insect pests were recorded on jackfruit from south Indian states (Karnataka, Kerala and Tamilnadu), of which seven species viz., Coptosoma siamicum Walker (Coleoptera: Plataspidae), Apheliona indica Dworakowska & Sohi, Kolla ceylonica Melichar (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), Eurybrachys tomentosa Fabricius (Hemiptera: Eurybrachidae), Eupaleopada concinna Westwood (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), Coccidohystrix insolita Green (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and Cysteochila delineata Distant (Hemiptera: Tingidae) are the first record on jackfruit. A maximum number of pests (46 species) were recorded from Karnataka, followed by Tamilnadu (31 species) and Kerala (29 species).

Mortality of Phyllophaga vetula larvae by the separate and combined application of Metarhizium anisopliae, Steinernema carpocapsae and Steinernema glaseri.

Phyllophaga spp. are a complex of edaphic insect pests that are present in the corn crops (Zea mays) in México, which are usually controlled with increasing dosages of broad-spectrum chemical insecticides. Several entomopathogenic nematode species can produce acceptable control levels of these larvae. However, the synergistic interaction between fungi and entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) could improve the control of this insect. This study investigates the mortality of larvae of Phyllophaga vetula by the effect of the separate or combined application of the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae M1cog strain (Ma) and the nematodes Steinernema carpocapsae All strain (Sc) or Steinernema glaseri NJ-43 strain (Sg). In laboratory, dosages of 1 × 106 or 1 × 108 spores/larva and 250 infective juveniles were applied on medium or large size P. vetula larvae contained in vials with sterilized agricultural soil as the assay arena. The separate application of Ma did not kill any larvae, but Sg and Sc killed 40 and 80% of the larvae, respectively. However, the Ma and Sc combination had an important antagonistic interaction that decreased the mortality to 40%, but the combination Ma and Sg had a slight additive interaction that increased the mortality to 47%. The most determining factor in larvae mortality was the nematode used, with Sg as the species with best performance in 6 of the 12 treatments evaluated and with a maximum effectivity of 80% on medium-size larvae if combined with a low dosage of Ma. The combined application of an entomopathogenic fungus and EPN showed no consistent effects on the mortality percentage of P. vetula, mostly because the fungus was not isolated from Phyllophaga larvae.

Sucking insect pest complex associated with black pepper (Piper nigrum L.), black gold of Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka

Sucking insect pest complex associated with black pepper (<i>Piper nigrum</i> L.), black gold of Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka

Monitoring of insect-pest complex on rapeseed-mustard at Pantnagar

Monitoring of insect-pest complex on rapeseed-mustard at Pantnagar

Managing cabbage seedpod weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in canola (Brassicaceae) – areLygus(Hemiptera: Miridae) affected?

AbstractCabbage seedpod weevil (Ceutorhynchus obstrictusMarsham; Coleoptera: Curculionidae) andLygusHahn (Hemiptera: Miridae) species are part of the late season insect pest complex of canola (BrassicaLinnaeus; Brassicacea) in the southern prairies of Canada. From 2010 to 2013, large strips in 73 commercial fields were studied in southern Alberta to validate action thresholds for cabbage seedpod weevil and assess the impact of insecticide spraying at the early flower stage for cabbage seedpod weevils on abundance ofLygusat the pod stage. Only fields planted in April accumulated the damaging populations of cabbage seedpod weevils, such that the application of an insecticide resulted in significant yield protection. The economic injury level for the cabbage seedpod weevil was calculated at 20 cabbage seedpod weevils per 10 sweeps, but an action threshold of 25–40 is recommended because sampling mainly occurs along the edge where cabbage seedpod weevils are initially concentrated. At the pod stage,Lyguswere lower in strips sprayed with insecticides at the early flower stage than in those not sprayed, but the differences were not statistically significant. Furthermore,Lyguswere generally below economically damaging levels in early seeded fields. Therefore, there is no benefit of spraying early seeded fields to attempt to preventLygusoutbreaks when cabbage seedpod weevils are below thresholds becauseLygusmay pose a risk only in fields planted later in the season.