Mealybug Research Articles

Bioefficacy of some insecticides and mixed formulations against mango mealy bug, Drosicha mangiferae (green)

Contact toxicity of some insecticides and mixed formulations was determined against nymphs of Drosicha mangiferae by nymphal dip (LC50) and topical application (LD50) methods. The LC50 value of deltamethrin + triazophos was 0.00007% showing 4.28 and 5.71 times higher toxicity compared to novaluron + indoxacarb (0.0003%) and chlorpyriphos + cypermethrin (0.0004%), respectively at 24 hours after exposure (HAE) against 2nd instar nymphs (average wt. = 0.029 g/nymph). Chlorpyriphos + cypermethrin exhibited almost similar toxicity (LD50 = 1.8 and 1.7 pg/nymph) respectively at 12 and 24 HAE against 3rd instar nymphs (average wt. = 0.038 g/nymph); profenofos + cypermethrin resulted in LD50 of 2 pg/nymph at both 4 and 6 HAE, likewise ethiprole + imidacloprid at 48 and 72 HAE resulted in LD50 of 1.0 pg/nymph, respectively against 4th instar nymphs (average wt. = 0.078 g/nymph). The LD50 values of imidacloprid and monocrotophos were 545.0 and 588.0 pg/nymph, respectively at 6 and 12 HAE against 3rd and 2nd instar nymphs. Among SP insecticides, lambda-cyhalothrin was most toxic (LD50 = 0.03 pg/nymph) showing 33 times higher toxicity compared to least toxic cypermethrin (1.0 pg/nymph); alphamethrin and deltamethrin at 6 and 48 HAE resulted in similar amount of toxicity (LD50 = 0.5 pg/nymph) showing 12.5 and 16.66 times lower toxicity than lambda-cyhalothrin (0.04 and 0.03 pg/nymph) against 4th instar nymphs, respectively.

Exploring Momardica Charantia Leaves as Biopesticide Against Mealy Bugs: A Comparative Study

A pesticide is a substance used for controlling pests that damage the crops. Azadirachta indica (Neem) is widely studied and commercially used as a biopesticide against various pests. The present study aims to explore Momardica charantia (Bitter gourd) leaves as a biopesticide and compare its effectiveness with the Azadirachta indica (Neem) leaves and chemical pesticide (Admire). The test plant used for study is Hibiscus rosa-sinensis infected with Red Hibiscus mealy bug. Soil parameters (pH, conductivity, organic matter content, available potassium and available phosphorus) and plant characteristics (height, leaves count, flowering and chlorophyll content) of all test plants under study were estimated and compared. The soil parameter like pH showed no changes in control and treated plants while organic matter, available potassium and available phosphorus comparatively showed slight increase in concentration in plants treated with all pesticides. The plant characteristics viz. height, leaf count and branching showed improvement in growth after treatment with pesticides.All the pesticides under study were capable to kill mealy bugs in one month. Even though the biopesticidal property of Momardicacharantia leaves was found to be less as compared to Azadirachta indica leaves and chemical pesticide (Admire), it can be used effectively to control mealy bugs infecting Hibiscus plant.

Stem application technique for sucking pest management in cotton at tribal area of Andhra Pradesh

Cotton is one of the most important fibre and cash crop in tribal area at Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh and plays a major share in the agricultural economy of the country. Nearly 65 per cent of cotton area is under rainfed and mainly in the plain and High altitude tribal areas of the district. Sucking pests of leaf hopper, white fly, thrips, mealy bugs, mites, redcotton bugs and aphids are becoming more serious, inviting indiscriminate use of pesticides in Bt cotton growing areas. Sucking pest incidence was controlled by the stem application of systemic insecticides viz., monocrotophos 1:4 ratio at 20 days after sowing and imidacloprid 200 SL with 1:20 ratio at 40 and 60 days after sowing. Within three days of application the population of sucking pests was reduced. This technique is being demonstrated and documented for two years at 20 locations in tribal farmers fields of Visakhapatnam district. Stem application in cotton showed better performance by reducing sucking pests damage of aphids (1.89%), leaf hoppers (3.57%), white fly (5.86%), thrips (4.31%), mealy bugs (5.09%), red cotton bug (6.82%) and mite (8.31%) along with more number of bolls and kapas yield in demo plots when compared to the farmers practice aphids (16.16%), leaf hoppers (27.32%), white fly (37.29%), thrips (18.42%), mealy bugs (36.87%), red cotton bug (7.90%) and mite (25.43%). On an average both years cotton kapas yield (2111kg/ha) under Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) were higher by 19.76 per cent as compared to farmer’s practices. Results from the study showed that farmers realized additional net income of Rs.17, 260 due to increased cotton kapas yield by 19.76 per cent with reduction of cost of cultivation by Rs.3300, it could be attributed in reduction of manual labour requirement for stem application and also increase in yield.

Field Bio-Efficacy of “Brigade-BL” (Beauveria bassiana) an Entomopathogenic Fungi for the Management of Mealy Bugs on Thompson Seedless Grapes

A field bio-efficacy of Brigade-BL (Beauveria bassiana) an entomopathogenic fungi was evaluated against mealy bugs (Meconellicoccus hirsutus) on Thompson Seedless grapes at National Research Centre on Grapes, Manjri, Pune during 2014-15. The experiment was conducted in RBD with five replications on foundation pruning and fruit pruning. Results obtained revealed that application of Brigade-BL @ 5.0 ml/L with two sprayings resulted in reduction of mealy bug colonies upto 67.82% in foundation pruning as compared to control. Likewise, at fruiting pruning, after fifth spray of Brigade-BL @ 5.0 ml/L recorded 75.68% reduction in mealy bug population and increase in fruit yield of 92.44% over control. Similarly, there was no any abnormality and phytotoxic effect observed by spraying Brigade-BL on grapevines. Likewise, Brigade-BL was found compatible with Buprofezin 25 SC chemical insecticide.

Efficacy of cinnamon oil and its active ingredient (cinnamaldehyde) on the cotton mealy bug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley and the predator Chrysoperla carnea

BackgroundThe importance of Chrysoperla carnea (Steph.) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) as a predator is due to nourishing this predator on some dangerous pests as the cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, belongs to Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae. So the predator C. carnea was used in the management of various pests. The basic aim of this study was the indirect effect of some natural materials against some stages of C. carnea through feeding of the predator on the treated prey, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae).ResultsThe results showed the comparison between the effectiveness of cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic oil in controlling the pest as soon as ineffectiveness on the predator. Cinnamaldehyde was very save against C. carnea which did not effect on the biology of it and the predator completed its life cycle as control (water + tween 80). Thus, the results suggested that cinnamaldehyde could be included in the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program without any adverse effect on bio-control agents used in an IPM.ConclusionThis study may be a great alternative to chemical pesticides in controlling cotton mealybug, P. solenopsis, and at the same time, this material is saving to the predator C. carnea. This alternative is cinnamaldehyde (the active ingredient of cinnamon oil).

Influência do meio geográfico nas características do mel de melato da bracatinga

A Indicação Geográfica (IG) refere-se a uma qualidade atribuída a um produto originário de um território cujas características são inerentes a sua origem geográfica. O trabalho teve como objetivo definir as influências dos elementos do meio físico (bióticos, abióticos e suas associações) na qualidade do mel de melato da bracatinga do Planalto Sul Brasileiro, para compor o dossiê enviado ao Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial (INPI) para o pedido de IG. Para isso, foram descritas as características da bracatinga (ambiente natural, qualidade da seiva, genética, fatores abióticos), da simbiose e sinergismo com os microrganismos, do parasitismo pela cochonilha, da trofobiose entre formigas e cochonilhas, da fumagina, das abelhas, do apicultor e do uso do solo. O mel de melato da bracatinga, produto de qualidade ímpar, é resultado de um conjunto de fatores bióticos e abióticos, com destaque para a relação entre a abelha Apis melífera e a cochonilha (Tachardiella sp.). A caracterização dos elementos físicos comprova as especificidades observadas no Planalto Sul Brasileiro e serve de subsídio para compor o dossiê de solicitação da denominação de origem junto ao INPI.

PENGARUH PENYARUNGAN DENGAN BERBAGAI KETEBALAN PLASTIK DAN DIAMETER BUAH TERHADAP SERANGAN PENGGEREK BUAH KAKAO Conopomorha cramerella (Snellen) (LEPIDOPTERA : GRACILLARIDAE)

This research is aimed to find out the preference of cocoa pod borer to diameter, biophysical, and biochemistry cocoa pod; the percentage of infested pods, percentage of seed damaged, and percentage of yield lost. In addition, this research is also aimed to assess the effect of plastic thickness on cacao pod rot disease, the effect of sheathing on the black ant and mealybug populations on pods. This research was conducted at Selemadeg District, Tabanan Regency from October 2009 until January 2010. The field trial was arranged into randomized complete block design (RCBD) by 15 treatments were sheathing with various thickness of plastics (S0-S4) and cocoa pod diameters (B1-B3). The results indicated that, based on the percentage of the infested pod, cocoa pod borer has preferred the fruit with diameter > 4.5-7.5 cm. This condition may be contrasted, the smallest pod size (3,5-4,5 cm) was the healthiest pod, even though it contains more nutritionally compound. The smaller pod rot disease in red and green types. Sheathing by plastic of > 0.02 mm thick in medium size of pods was the most effective to prevent cocoa pod borer infestation. Sheathing with plastic was not affecting the population of both black ants and mealy bugs. Based on these results, it can be suggested that sheathing with plastic of > 0.02 mm thick on medium size of the pod is promising control measure to prevent yield lost caused by cocoa pod borer and cocoa pot rot disease.

Towards a development of novel bioinsecticides for organic control of Planococcus ficus in vineyards

The mealybug species, Planococcus ficus Signoret (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a pest that mainly affects grapevine plantations (Vitis vinifera L.), causing huge economic losses in the world. The numerous problems caused by the use of synthetic pesticides on the environment and human health have motivated the development and implementation of natural pesticides. The objective of this work was to develop effective and efficient contact bioinsecticide formulations for the control of P. ficus in vineyards. Anti-mealybug formulations were developed using (R)-(+)-pulegone as an active principle, TWEEN® 20 and soy lecithin powder as surfactants, and limonene and diatomaceous earth (DE) as insect waxy layer reducers. The insecticidal properties of formulations against vine mealybugs and their grapevine leaf phytotoxicity were evaluated in laboratory conditions. Pulegone+DE+Lecithin and Pulegone+Limonene+DE+Lecithin formulations showed the highest mortality rates of P. ficus (more than 70 % mortality) at 24 h and 48 h of treatment. This high mortality is probably due to an interaction between pulegone, DE and soy lecithin that allows more molecular mobility and increases the efficiency of the active substance, making it enter and act on the insect. In conclusion, the Pulegone+DE+Lecithin and Pulegone+Limonene+DE+Lecithin formulations can be an efficient tool for the organic control of P. ficus in vineyards.

POPULATION DYNAMICS OF THE VINE MEALYBUGS, PLANOCOCCUS FICUS SIGNORET (PSEUDOCOCCIDAE: HOMOPTERA) ASSOCIATED WITH GRAPEVINE IN FAYOUM GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

The vine mealybug, Planococcus ficus Signoret (Pseudococcidae: Homoptera) is considered a primary vineyard pest. The presented work was carried out at a grapevine Feddemin at Village Fayoum Governorate, cultivated with the variety Ghribi to shed the light on seasonal fluctuation of population density, number and duration of generations of the vine mealybug, P. ficus as well as the effects of the main weather factors on the insect population . Regular biweekly samples from trunks, leaves and bunches of grapevine were taken for two successive years, from Nov. 2015 to Oct. 2017. The obtained data showed that P. ficus individuals were found throughout the year beneath the bark of grapevine trunk where the nymphs of the mealybug recorded six peaks in both investigated years. Adult females had five peaks during the first year and eight peaks in the second year. The highest numbers of P. ficus on trunks were recorded at the end of Aug. and in mid of Sep. for first and second year respectively. P. ficus infested only mature bunches and the highest numbers of the mealy bug on bunches were recorded at the end of Aug. in both years. The effect of maximum and minimum temperature on total individuals of the mealybug was positive and insignificant in the first years and positive highly significant in the second year. The effect of mean relative humidity was negative and insignificant. The combined effect of main weather factor on total individuals of the mealybug was insignificant in the first year while it was significant in the second year of investigation.

Essential oils of Cinnamomum loureirii and Evolvulus alsinoides protect guava fruits from spoilage bacteria, fungi and insect (Pseudococcus longispinus)

The present study aimed to evaluate the crop protection properties of essential oils (EOs) extracted from Cinnamomum loureirii and Evolvulus alsinoides against food spoilage fungi and insects. Hydrodistillation method and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometry analysis authenticated the presence of twenty three compounds from C. loureirii including, cinnamaldehyde (74.31 %), linalool (1.72 %), camphor (1.3 %), borneol (1.25 %) and bisabolol (1.31 %) and twenty compounds from E. alsinoides with cis‐α‐necrodol (13.06 %) as the major component. Results confirmed that two EOs revealed potent activity against various bacterial pathogens and fruit spoilage fungal strains. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration values ranged between 2.1 ± 0.3 and 4.3 ± 0.2 μg/mL and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration values varied between 6.5 ± 0.25 and 13.4 ± 9.2 μg/mL. The EO was highly active against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Interestingly, the EO from C. loureirii induced larval mortality (100 ± 0% at 80 μg/mL) than EO from E. alsinoides (90 ± 2.5 % at 80 μg/mL), whereas the mixture of both EO revealed 100 % mortality at 80 μg/mL concentrations. Interestingly, both EOs showed excellent activities against A. aegypti. In addition, the EO vapour significantly suppressed the pest, mealy bug (Pseudococcus longispinus) affected fruit and leaves of Guava, Psidium guajava. In vivo analysis revealed the protection property against rot forming fungal pathogens. The increasing concentration of EOs significantly protected from rot formation in Guava fruit. The antioxidant potentials of EO was an additional value added advantage. Overall, it is concluded that EOs could be effectively used in the control of postharvest bacterial, fungal pathogens and storage pests.

Relationship between the honeydew of mealy bugs and the growth of Phlebopus portentosus.

Phlebopus portentosus and mealy bugs form a fungus-insect gall on the roots of host plants. The fungus and mealy bugs benefit mutually through the gall, which is the key link in the nutritional mechanism of P. portentosus. The cavity of the fungus-insect gall provides an ideal shelter for mealy bugs survival and reproduction, but how does P. portentosus benefit from this symbiotic relationship? Anatomical examination of fungus-insect galls revealed that one or more mealy bugs of different generations were living inside the galls. The mealy bug's mouthpart could penetrate through the mycelium layer of the inside of the gall and suck plant juice from the host plant root. Mealy bugs excreted honeydew inside or outside the galls. The results of both honeydew agar medium and quartz tests showed that the honeydew can attract and promote the mycelial growth of P. portentosus. A test of the relationship between the honeydew and the formation of the fungus-insect gall showed that honeydew promoted gall formation. All experimental results in this study show that the honeydew secreted by mealy bugs can attract and promote the mycelial growth of P. portentosus, forming a fungus-insect gall, because mealy bugs' honeydew is rich in amino acids and sugars.

Pomegrantes Economics and Medicinal Aspects in the World

Pomegrantes Economics and Medicinal Aspects in the World

Sustainable management approach for sucking pests control in betel leaf of Bangladesh

BackgroundBetel leaf is the oldest and now highly paid farmer’s crop, but the most vulnerable to insect pests, leading to massive yield drops in Bangladesh. For this reason, the experiment was carried out at the Spices Research Centre, Bangladesh, during the period of January 2018 to December 2018 and to assess the effectiveness of the different bio-rational approach against the betel leaf sucking pests. In this study, BARI Paan-3 was used as a test crop. Studies were important that sucking insect pests to include red mite population (black fly, white fly, red mite and mealy bug) has been found actively around the year in Bangladesh.ResultsStudies have shown that sucking insect population (black fly, white fly, red mite and mealy bug) has been found actively year round, whereas the maximum (22.7, 17.2, 16.1, and 14 adult/vine) and minimum (3.2, 2.8, 2.6, and 1.5 adult/vine) were recorded during the month of October and January, respectively. The results explored that the significant variations and the R2 value suggested that biotic factor contributes 57.9, 50.9, 51.3, and 53.7% variations in black fly, white fly, red spider mite, and mealy bug population. Among approaches, the highest mortality rate (80.56, 84.73, 82.44, and 90.96%) of black fly, white fly, red mite, and mealy bug over untreated control with maximum vine yield (18.61 t/ha) is recorded from sanitation + three alternate spraying of fizimite and antario.ConclusionsIt had concluded that sanitation of betel leaf garden along with three alternate spraying of fizimite (sodium lauryl ether) at 1 ml/l and antario WP (Bt + abamectin 0.1%) at 0.5 g/l recommended for an effective management of the betel vine sucking pest complex.

Diversidad de Hemiptera asociada a árboles de ambientes urbanos de la provincia de Jujuy, Argentina

Los Hemiptera de ambientes urbanos de Jujuy son poco conocidos y explorados. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar y caracterizar la diversidad de Hemiptera asociada a tres especies del arbolado publico de Jujuy, y aportar datos bioecologicos que contribuyan a su conocimiento. El estudio se realizo en tres ciudades durante una estacion seca y una humeda, y para cada localidad se consideraron dos ambientes: urbano y suburbano. En cada sitio se muestrearon tres arboles de Handroantus impetiginosus, Enterolobium contortisiliquum y Citrus aurantium. Se aspiro el follaje y se extrajeron al azar 10 ramas/arbol. Se identificaron los hemipteros y se comparo la abundancia, la riqueza, la diversidad, la composicion y la dominancia de cada suborden en funcion de las especies arboreas, las localidades, la estacionalidad y el grado de urbanizacion. Colectamos 4339 individuos pertenecientes a los subordenes Auchenorrhyncha (8 familias, 30 morfoespecies, 1044 individuos), Heteroptera (8 familias, 20 morfoespecies, 196 individuos) y Sternorrhyncha (9 familias, 33 morfoespecies, 3099 individuos). Por primera vez para Jujuy se cita a Rhabdotalebra albinoi y a Rhabdotalebra flava sobre E. contortisiliquum, y a R. flava y al genero Tingis sobre H. impetiginosus. La localidad con mayor riqueza fue San Salvador de Jujuy (56 morfoespecies, 28 exclusivas), en contraste con El Carmen (39 morfoespecies, 13 exclusivas) y San Pedro (34 morfoespecies, 11 exclusivas). Registramos heteropteros fitofagos, depredadores y de dieta mixta. Sternorrhyncha fue el suborden mejor representado en riqueza y abundancia teniendo en cuenta localidad y especie arborea, mientras que la estacionalidad no lo afecto como a Auchenorrhyncha y Heteroptera. No encontramos diferencias en abundancia entre el sector urbano y el suburbano. Las especies de hemipteros compartidas por las tres especies de arboles fueron Dikrella sp., Empoasca sp.2, Aleyrodidae sp.1 y Pseudococcidae sp.1; los dominantes en lapacho fueron Rabdotalebra flava, Rabdotalebra sp.2, Tingis sp.1 y Ceroplastes sp.1; en naranjo, Lephidosaphes beckii, Aphididae sp.1 y Aonidiella aurantii; en pacara, Psyllidae sp.2, Aphididae sp.1 y Empoasca sp.2. https://doi.org/10.25260/EA.20.30.1.0.925

Rearing earwig Chelisoches morio (Fabricius) on a variety of artificial diets

Black earwig (Chelisoches morio (Fabr.) (Dermaptera: Chelisochidae), is an effective predator of various important pests of crops such as mealybugs, beetles, and stem borers. Earwig mass rearing is considered simple, but it requires a long time to reach the optimal life stages for field releases. The type of artificial food given has at least an influence of lifespan so this study was conducted to determine the types of food that can shorten life cycle of earwig. Feeding trials consisted of combination between mealybugs and dog food, mealybugs and fish and mealybugs with cornmeal. Each treatment had five replications. The results shown that the lifespan of black earwig was 52 days (mealybug + dog food), 62 days mealybug + fish material), and 67 days (mealy bug + cornmeal) respectively. It is suggested that a better artificial food is to shorten lifespan and therefore it is considered to use earwig mass rearing.

Pre-harvest Fruit Bagging Enhanced Quality and Shelf-life of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Amrapali

A study was performed during 2016 from January to July for safe mango production by applying the minimum use of pesticides. The mango fruits were bagged at marble stage (45 days after fruit set) with various treatments viz: T0: No bagging (control), T1: Brown paper double-layered bag (BPB); T2: White paper single-layered bag (WPB); T3: Perforated polythene bag (PB) and T4: White cloth bag (WCB). In physical parameters, brown and white paper bag recorded the maximum fruit weight (169.10 g and 147.6 g), fruit length (8.57 and 8.33 cm), fruit diameter (5.63 and 5.87 cm) and pulp weight (124.47 g and 105.60 g) respectively, while minimum result was found in the other treatments and control. Meanwhile, in bagging fruits, chemical parameters of total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, percent of citric acid, reducing sugars and β- carotene were increased over control. Brown paper bag changed fruit color. The sensory qualities in fruits of brown and white paper bags were improved over control. Fruit retention was significantly improved by pre-harvest fruit bagging with a brown paper bag (95.90%), white paper bag (95.50%), and control (90.00%) over polythene bag (80.00%). Fruits with brown paper bags showed shelf life up to 18 days with good physical quality and the lowest weight loss against 15 days of control fruits. The sensory attributes were better in fruits of brown, white paper and white cloth bags over control. Bagging at marble stage also reduced the occurrence of spongy tissue and the incidence of mealy bugs. These results indicate that fruit bagging can improve the quality and the shelf life of mango cv. Amrapali through the reduction of disease and insect-pest attack.

An Analytical study on Continuance Level of TNAU Recommended Technologies among the Tapioca Growers

New agricultural technologies are need to increasing the production andproductivity of agricultural crops. Technological change has been the majordriving force for increasing agricultural productivity. It was found fromdifferent study that growers’ perceptions of technology characteristicssignificantly affect their adoption decisions. The technology which wasadopted at one time may be discontinuing in other time in different way.This study identified the reason for discontinuance of TNAU recommendedpractices among tapioca growers. Salem and Namakkal district of TamilNadu have been chosen as it records top in area covers under tapiocacultivation. The growers were selected by following Proportionate RandomSampling procedure. Accordingly, 129 tapioca growers were selected asgrowers for the study. From the study it was found that majority of growerscompletely discontinued the nursery management practices. Except biofertilizer, fungicide usage, recommendations for mealy bug, cassava mosaicand TNAU recommended varieties all other technologies still followed bytapioca growers.

Sucking pest and their management in mulberry (<em>Morus alba</em>): A review

Mulberry (Morus spp.) is regarded as a native of Himalayas and is cultivated in more than 32 countries in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions of the world. Mulberry being the sole food plant of mulberry silkworms, the quality, productivity and profitability in commercial sericulture depends on the yield of mulberry. Mulberry crop is considered as only food for the silkworm, Bombyx mori L. which is commercially exploited. It is a perennial, evergreen, luxuriant crop cultivated in all types of soils, both under rainfed and irrigated conditions. The crop is prone to depredation of diverse organisms, because of its fast growth and green foliage throughout the year, in varying proportions either for space, food or both. So far, over 300 insect and non-insect species of pests are known to infest mulberry in varying intensities during different stages of the crop and seasons. The maximum leaf yield potential of mulberry is yet to be trapped under irrigated conditions which are low for various reasons. Of these, improper nutrient management practice, decline in soil fertility status and delayed irrigation (due to failure of rains or canal water) and imbalanced nutrition and non-adaptability of prime production practices and insect pest are major constraints for low leaf productivity. Among the production constraints, sucking pest occurrence has become major problem in mulberry garden cultivation. The pests which are infesting mulberry are categorized into sap suckers, defoliators and root feeders. The sucking pest includes mealy bug, trips, spiralling whitefly, leaf hoppers, jassids and scale insects which cause damage to mulberry crop. Most of the sap sucking insects, such as adult leaf hoppers, aphids or thrips causes minimal direct tissue destruction. These insects use a specialized mouth part, the style, to locate, penetrate and drain sap from the phloem sieve elements of the plants vascular tissue. Majority of the sericulture farmers throughout the country have opined that mulberry (Morus spp.) is very much prone to sucking pest. Now a day’s majority of the mulberry cultivars and sericulture farmers have been approaching scientists and extension agencies for efficient control measures of sucking pest of mulberry especially thrips under such condition management of thrips through the eco-friendly approach and giving the crop condition in the parcel basis to the farmers is necessary to increase the mulberry leaf yield. Hence, the review.

Mapping High-Potential Areas Using Maximum Entropy Modeling Approach and Constraints Analysis of Pineapple (<em>Ananas comosus</em>) Cultivation in Sri Lanka

Maximum entropy (MaxEnt) modeling is extensively tested high performing quantitative modeling technique which has great potential for identifying best ecological requirement of species based on “presence only data” together with environmental variables. This study was aim to model the high-potential areas for pineapple cultivation in Sri Lanka using MaxEnt model. Total of 215 locations of pineapple cultivation covering whole Sri Lanka and several environmental covariates namely monthly rainfall, monthly mean temperature, Digital Elevation Model (DEM), slope, slope aspect, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were used as model drivers. The resulting model was validated by using area under the receiver operator characteristic curve analysis. In addition to mapping, a questionnaire survey was conducted with a sample of 60 farmers in four divisional secretariat divisions of Gampaha and Kurunegala districts to explore prevailing conditions and constraints for pineapple cultivation. Highly significant constraints were identified using Wilcoxon signed rank test. Probability prediction map developed by MaxEnt with high predictive power (AUC = 0.913) indicated that some parts of Ampara, Monaragala, Puttalam, Colombo, Kaluthara, Kegalle, Badulla districts as high- potential areas in addition to traditionally pineapple grown districts which are Gampaha and Kurunegala. Wilcoxon signed rank test proved that high cost of inputs, high price of mulching materials, high cost and shortage of labour, high investment, lack of government subsidy facilities, weed problem, threat of mealy bug attack as highly significant production constraints while lack of guaranteed price as the major marketing constraint for pineapple cultivation (p < 0.05). This information on high-potential areas important for investors as well as entrepreneurs to take information-based decisions and provide decisive guidance for farmers to expand their cultivation.

New Agronomic Ideas of Ecofriendly Pest Management by Insectivorous and Murderous Plants

Insectivorous plants want a nutrient for their survival. Due to this, naturally having a habit evolved these kind of plants to attract the insects like stem borer, gall midge, cater pillars, skippers and some lepidopterons, and Murderous plants exaggeration character some species corpses adhesive plant itself, that attracted the sucking pest like thrips, leafhoppers, aphids, white flies, mealy bugs, scale insects and bugs. These types carnivorous plants used to our cropping system as inter, mixed, border crops etc., to manage the pest without chemical. This is a new agronomic conceptual thought not yet in practical till now.