Groundnut Leaf Miner Research Articles

EFFECT OF INTERCROPPING ON THE INCIDENCE OF GROUNDNUT LEAF MINER, Aproaerema modicella DEVENTER (GELECHIIDAE : LEPIDOPTERA)

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of various intercrops on the incidence of groundnut leaf miner, Aproaerema modicella Deventer, at Gandhi Krishi Vignana Kendra (GKVK), University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS). Bangalore during 1994 kharif season. The study indicated that the incidence of leaf miner was reduced and pod yield was increased under intercropping combinations compared to monocropping of groundnut. The lesser leaf miner incidence and higher groundnut pod yield was recorded in groundnut + sorghum, groundnut + maize and groundnut + cowpea intercropping systems.

Application of Pheromones for Crop Pest Management in the Indian Sub-Continent

The Natural Resources Institute has worked in the Indian sub-continent to utilise insect pheromones for the control of a wide range of insect crop pests. The pheromones of more than 20 insect pests have been identified and the behaviourally active components of 14 fully optimised. In addition four components of the pheromone of black-headed coconut caterpillar, Opisina arenosella, were identified using insects from Sri Lanka but high catches in unbaited traps have hampered field work. Putative pheromone components of Maruca vitrata, Leucinodes orbonalis, Hellula undalis, Xylotrechus quadripes and Rhynchophorus ferrugineus have been identified and are under active investigation. The female sex pheromone of the groundnut leafminer, Aproaerema modicella, has recently been identified and found to be highly attractive to male moths at very low doses suggesting it could be useful for population surveillance or control by mass trapping. However, despite extensive scientific investigation, the optimised pheromone of Helicoverpa armigera remains of uncertain value for use in population surveillance and control. A controlled-release formulation suitable for protecting a wide range of lepidopteran pheromones was developed and evaluated in large scale trials on cotton and rice pests in Pakistan and India, respectively. In Pakistan season-long control of the cotton pests, Pectinophora gossypiella, Earias insulana and E. vittella, was achieved by mating disruption with a saving of up to five applications of insecticide. While in India season-long control of the yellow stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas, on rice was found to be as effective as the insecticide regimes currently used by smallholders. The prospects for commercialising pheromones for control of crop pests are being actively studied through farmer participatory field trials designed to identify the social and economic constraints of smallholder farmers who make up much of the farming community in the Indian sub-continent.

Impact of the groundnut leafminer, Aproaerema modicella (Deventer) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on growth and yield of two groundnut cultivars

AbstractThe impact of larval defoliation by Aproaerema modicella (Deventer) on the growth, development and yield of two groundnut cultivars (Kadiri 3 and NC Ac 17090) was studied under a naturally occurring, high density infestation. Defoliation by leaf-mining larvae did not increase plant mortality in either cultivar. In both cultivars, leaf and stem production were significantly lower in untreated plots than in the treated plots. Unsprayed plants of both cultivars produced fewer flowers, pegs, and pods per plant compared to plants of the same cultivar protected with monocrotophos. Fruit growth rates, however, were marginally higher in control plots than in treated plots. Pod yields were 35 and 44% lower, and haulm yields 25 and 20% lower, in Kadiri 3 and NC Ac 17090, respectively in untreated control plots compared to plots treated with insecticide. A linear relationship between leafminer density and pod and haulm yields was observed, and differences between cultivars were not significant.

Effect of temperature on development rates, fecundity & longevity of the groundnut leaf miner, Aproaerema modicella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), in India

AbstractThreshold temperatures, growth rates and physiological development times were calculated for the egg, larval and pupal stages of the groundnut leaf-miner, Aproaerema modicella (Deventer), a key pest of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) and soyabean (Glycine max) in India. The life cycle of Aproaerema modicella required 660 degree-days (DD) above threshold temperatures (12.4°C for eggs, 11.3° for larvae and 14.7° for pupae). A function fitted to the adult longevity and fecundity data describes the effect of temperature and female age on fecundity. Egg production was greatest at 30°C and declined at lower and higher temperatures. Head capsule width measurements indicated that five larval instars are typical in India. The results obtained are discussed in the context of earlier work.

Registration ICGV 86031 Peanut Germplasm

ICGV 86031 (Reg. no. GP-58, PI no. 561917) is a spanishtype peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. subsp. fastigiata Waldron var. vulgaris Hartz) developed at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, India. It was released in 1991 by the Plant Materials Identification Committee of ICRISAT because of its resistance to thrips (Thripspalmi Karny), jassid (Empoasca kerri Pruthi), spodoptera [Spodoptera litura (Fabricius)], groundnut leaf miner (Aproaerema modicella Deventer) and bud necrosis virus (BNV), which causes bud necrosis disease (END) in peanut. ICGV 86031 has also been found to be photoperiod insensitive and resistant to iron deficiency chlorosis (4).

EFFECT OF INTERCROP ON THE INCIDENCE OF GROUNDNUT LEAFMINER

Influence of the intercropping system on the incidence of groundnut leaf miner. Significantly less number of leaf miner larvae per metre row, comparatively more percentage of parasitism by Gonlozus sp. and less percentage of leaflet damage (41.3%) in groundnut and cumbu intercropping system at 4:1 ratio. In addition, the groundnut cumbu intercropping system recorded 4.7 per cent increased net return when compared to the pure crop of groundnut.

Larval parasitoids and pathogens of the groundnut leaf miner,Aproaerema modicella (Lep.: Gelechiidae), in India

Natural enemies of the groundnut leaf miner,Aproaerema modicella (Deventer), were studied at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) located near Hyderabad in peninsular India. Hymenopterous parasitoids attacking leaf miner larvae were the most important group of natural enemies. Nine primary and eight secondary parasitoids emerged from host larvae, and killed up to 50% of the leaf miner larvae sampled. The trophic relationships between primary and secondary parasitoids are incompletely understood. The influence of pathogens of this species is reported for the first time. These pathogens killed up to 30% of the leaf miner larvae. The combined effects of all mortality agents killed up to 95% of the leaf miner larvae per sample period. However, use of insecticides in sprayed plots reduced the efficacy of parasitoids. The impact of predators on larval populations was not studied and may explain underestimates of leaf miner mortality rates.

Efficacy of granular insecticides in the management of groundnut leafminer,Aproaerema modicellaDeventer (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Abstract The granular insecticides were evaluated for their efficacy against groundnut leaf miner, Aproaerema modicella Deventer, under rainfed conditions by applying them to the soil along with fertilizers at the time of sowing. Among eight insecticidal treatments, four treatments, namely, isofenphos 5 G (2 kg a.i./ha), carbosulfan 10 G (4 kg a.i./ha), isofenphos 5 G (5 kg a.i./ha) and phorate 10 G (4 kg a.i./ha) were found significantly more effective in suppressing the leafminer infestation. These treatments also gave increased pod yields compared with other treatments including check. The activity of natural enemies such as insect parasites and pathogens was not affected by these insecticidal treatments.

Resistance in Peanut to Major Arthropod Pests

Resistance of peanut, Arachis hypogaea L., and wild species of Arachis, to many major arthropod pests has been identified in the United States. Plant resistance has been confirmed to the following species: thrips - Frankliniella schultzei (Trybom) and F. fusca (Hinds); the groundnut aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch; leafhoppers - Empoasca kerri Pruthi and E. fabae (Harris); lepidopterous defoliators - Heliothis zea (Boddie), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), and S. litura (F.); groundnut leaf miner, Aproaerema modicella (Deventer); southern corn rootworm, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber; lesser cornstalk borer, Elasmopalpus lignosellus (Zeller); the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch; and podborers such as termites of the genus Odontotermes, millipedes of the genus Peridontopyge and white grubs, Eulepida mashona Arrow. Several peanut cultivars are resistant to multiple pests. Many of the resistant genotypes of A. hypogaea are readily available for breeding and development into commercial cultivars. Related diploid species of the section Arachis are cross-compatible with the tetraploid A. hypogaea and offer the greatest potential for increasing cultivated peanut resistance to pests. Cooperative research among institutes, research organizations, and countries is needed to evaluate the known sources of resistance for cross-resistance to related species of insects.

Parasitoid Complex of the Groundnut Leafminer, Aproaerema modicella Deventer (Lepidoptera:Gelechiidae)

The groundnut leafminer, Aproaerema modicella Deventer, is a serious insect pest of groundnut in many South Asian and South-East Asian countries. In India, it has been reported in severe form on groundnut from Karnataka (Usman and Puttarudraiah, 1955), Andhra Pradesh (Krishnamurthy Rao et al., (1962), Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu (Rai, 1976). The Leafminer however is attacked by many species of parasitoids in nature.

DAMAGE POTENTIAL OF GROUNDNUT LEAF MINER (Gelechiidae Lepidoptera)

Pot experiments were conducted to assess the damage potential of the groundnut leaf miner, Aproaerome modicalla Deventer. In the case of 20 and 40-day-old plants introduced separately with 2, 4, 6 and 8 larvae per plant, it was observed that the maximum damage in respect of the number of damaged leaflets and percentage of affected leaflets was in'licted within five days of introduction and afterwards there was only a slight increase in the damage. Among the two age groups, the dainage was significantly more in 40-day-old plants at 15th day after introduction. The differences in the leaf area damaged between the tub age groups were not significant. Cumulative damage assessed by the introductions of 2, 4, 6 and 8 larvae per plant when the plants were 20 and 40 days old showed that there was a concomitant increase in the damage with the increase in the number of larvae introduced.

Application of dynamic programming for guiding IPM on groundnut leafminer in India

A simulation model of the population dynamics of groundnut leafminer (GLM), Aproaerema modicella (Deventer) was built in the early stages of an IPM research project. The model was specified with experimental and farm management data from India. It was linked to a dynamic programming procedure which indicated the number of insecticide applications needed to optimize income over ranges of natural mortality and host-plant resistance, and extended to include the initial level of the GLM population, mortality caused by insecticides to natural enemies, the efficacy of insecticide application, and groundnut prices. Model results indicated that future research should evaluate the effectiveness of farmers' insecticide applications. The initial population density had a significant influence on subsequent levels of ‘damage’. Insecticide mortality of natural enemies and groundnut prices were of less importance.

Groundnut pests and their control in the semi‐arid tropics

Abstract White grubs, termites, millipedes, wireworms and earwigs bore holes in developing groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) pods throughout the semi‐arid tropics. White grubs and termites also damage the roots. The above‐ground pests include Spodoptera litura Fab. and the groundnut leaf miner Aproaerema modicella Deventer in Asia. Aphids transmit a number of virus diseases. A thrips Frankliniella schultzei (Trybom) is the vector of bud necrosis disease, which is a serious problem in Asia, southern USA and Australia. Jassids can cause much foliar damage, but their pest status is not certain, except as virus vectors. The pest control options lead away from insecticides, which are often available and are too expensive, towards exploiting host plant resistance and natural control and employing management techniques that restrict pest activity.

STUDIES ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LIGHT TRAP CATCHES AND FIELD INCIDENCE OF GROUNDNUT LEAF MINER Aproaerema modicella DEVENTER (GELECHIIDAE: LEPIDOPTERA)

Attempts were made to correlate the moth catches in the light trap with field incidence of groundnut leaf miner. The light trap catches exerted a positive correlation with the field incidence, Among the three generations in a crop period, third genera- tions accounted for the maximum field incidence for a unit increase of the number of moths in the light trap. The value was higher whenever the mean incidence of six observations in a sowing was considered for correlation, compared with the mean incidence at each observation in the different sowings. The number of moths caught was at its peak during the second week of October and highest incidence was observed in the first week of November.