Description of a new species in the Genus Cosella Newkirk and Keifer (Acari: Eriophyidae) From China

Eriophyoid mites are the most common groups of phytophagous mites found on various plants in Zhejiang Province of China. These mites are usually found on agricultural, horticultural, ornamental, and medicinal plants, including fruit and forest trees. Zhejiang Province is famous for its renowned mountains consist of Yandang, Putuo, Xuedou, Tianmu, Tiantai and Qingliang covered with green forest and wide range of vegetation due to which it is called as a treasure house of plants in China, which provide ecologically suitable living environment for eriophyoids species richness. Because of the diversity of host plants in Zhejiang Province, there is a dire need to investigate the presence of these minute creatures-especially those species that can be harmful to economic crops.  Prior to this study genus Cosella Newkirk and Keifer held 43 species worldwide. Further one new leaf vagrant eriophyoid mite species in the genus Cosella was found from Zhejiang Province, China. A survey was carried out to determine the eriophyid mite fauna on natural vegetation of Linan City, Zhejiang Province China. One new species Cosella linanensis sp. nov.  is described and illustrated from Rhododendron ovatum (Ericaceae). There was no apparent damage found on host plants where the new species was collected

Influence of male age on producing rival calls in brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens Stál (Homoptera: Delphacidae)

Brown planthopper (BPH) Nilaparvata lugens is an imperative insect pest of rice crop throughout the Asia. Both BPH male and female rely on substrate borne vibrational signals prior to mate. Often such mating communication is affected by rivalry signals of other existed males of variable age and population. Therefore, the current study observed the effect of age and population density on production of male rival calls. The results illustrated that the male rival calls were only produced in the presence of other male. No single male rival call was produced when a pair of a matured male and female of five days old was placed on rice plant. However, production of rival calls increased with increasing the age of BPH male and maximum number of (90%) male produced rival calls at the age of fifth days. Similarly, the population density affected the behaviour of male for producing the rival calls. A maximum number of male produced rival calls, when population of seven virgin males were reared together prior to experiment. Such results showed that the presence of rivalry signals during mating communication is a crucial part of mating behaviour of brown planthopper and only observed among males. Understanding the influence of these factors on mating behaviour of BPH is essential as it serves as baseline for exploiting the mating signals of BPH to reduce the population density below the economic injury level

Effect of Different Synthetic Pesticides Against Pink Bollworm Pectinophora gossypiella (Saund.) On Bt. and non-Bt. Cotton Crop

The field studies were conducted at the farmer’s field in 2015-2016 to determine the effect of three different insecticides (triazon, radiant and polytrin C) on Bt. and non-Bt. cotton varieties against pink bollworm. The results revealed that triazon was observed the most effective pesticide against PBW on both cotton varieties. The mortality reduction percent of 33.99 to 30.45% was recorded at triazon, 27.72 to 26.95% at radiant and 24.68 to 14.48% at polytrin C respectively, in 2015. However, in 2016 the mortality reduction percent decreased but effective trend of these selected pesticides were observed same with mortality reduction percent of 28.15 to 25.46% at triazon, 21.95 to 23.52% at radiant and 19.96 to 16.37% at polytrin C in Bt. and non-Bt. cotton varieties. In present investigation, triazon was observed the most effective pesticide than radiant and polytrin C on larvae of PBW in both Bt. and non-Bt. varieties

Effect of Different Synthetic Pesticides Against Pink Bollworm Pectinophora gossypiella (Saund.) On Bt. and non-Bt. Cotton Crop

The field studies were conducted at the farmer’s field in 2015-2016 to determine the effect of three different insecticides (triazon, radiant and polytrin C) on Bt. and non-Bt. cotton varieties against pink bollworm. The results revealed that triazon was observed the most effective pesticide against PBW on both cotton varieties. The mortality reduction percent of 33.99 to 30.45% was recorded at triazon, 27.72 to 26.95% at radiant and 24.68 to 14.48% at polytrin C respectively, in 2015. However, in 2016 the mortality reduction percent decreased but effective trend of these selected pesticides were observed same with mortality reduction percent of 28.15 to 25.46% at triazon, 21.95 to 23.52% at radiant and 19.96 to 16.37% at polytrin C in Bt. and non-Bt. cotton varieties. In present investigation, triazon was observed the most effective pesticide than radiant and polytrin C on larvae of PBW in both Bt. and non-Bt. varieties

Screening of Different Varieties of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) against Sucking Insect Pests

The screening of different varieties is one of the key strategies used in Integrated Pest Management to control the insect population and to escape the use of synthetic insecticides. This study was aimed to screen different okra varieties against sucking insect pest complex such as thrip, jassid, aphid, whitefly and mealybug. The experiment was conducted at Agriculture Research Institute Tandojam. The varieties such as Rama Krishna, Silky-460 and Bharat Kawairi were cultivated in RCBD layout and each treatment was replicated five times. The results revealed that the most infested variety was Bharat Kaiwari followed by Silky-460 and Rama Krishna throughout the experimental period. The highest mean population of the sucking insect pests (thrip, jassid, aphid, whitefly and mealybug) was 9.61±0.35, 3.22±0.13, 18.33±0.50, 3.25±0.15 and 3.75±0.19 respectively was observed on Bharat Kaiwari and the lowered on Rama Krishna. However, the attack of aphid was prominent on all okra varieties and overall pest attack was higher in the month of June. Similarly, the co-efficient correlation analysis showed a positive relationship of temperature and humidity (r= 0.012; r = 0.128) with thrip population whereas there was a negative relationship between temperature and humidity with remaining sucking pests. Both jassid and mealybug population indicated a significant difference with temperature. Similarly, relative humidity displayed a significant impact on population of mealybug (r = 0.365) and aphid (r = -0.096). Thus, it could be concluded based on the results that Rama Krishna is the most resistance against sucking insect pests as compared to Silky-460 and Bharat Kaiwairi

Bio efficacy of Eruca sativa oil against Callosobruchus chinensis on chickpea

Pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis L. responsible for destroying qualitative and quantitative losses to most stored grains. Once the damage done by the beetle, the grains lose their nutritional and germination capacity and become unfit for either consumption. Seed treatment still mainly relies on heavy synthetic chemicals which cause residual effect and threaten public health. However, the natural plant products containing insecticidal activity have recently displayed a great scope as they tend to come up with low mammalian toxicity, less effect on environmental and broad public adoption. Therefore, an experiment was conducted with variable doses of Eruca sativa L. seed oil (0.5 ml, 1 ml, and 1.5 ml) against C. chinensis. The data were recorded for corrected mortality, repellent effects, and seed protectant at different intervals (24, 48, 72 hrs and 1 week). We found the higher corrected mortality (32.65%) at 1.5ml after 24 hrs. Later, the mortality percentage decreased at different intervals but remained higher at maximum dose of E. sativa. However, the overall highest mortality of C. chinensis was 50.00% at 1.5 ml and the lowest 41.00% at 0.5 ml. Meanwhile, the index showed repellent effect with R.I value <1 in all treatments at different intervals. The seed protectant data showed that the minimum number of 1.66±0.33 eggs laid on treated seeds at 1.5 ml and 8.00±1.15 eggs on untreated seeds in choice experiment. In total, maximum number of 17.33±4.93 eggs laid at 0.5 ml in choice experiment and minimum 4.83±1.51 eggs at 1.5 ml. However, in no choice experiment, the maximum number of 51.00±4.58 eggs on control treatment and minimum 0.33±0.33 eggs on 1.5 ml were laid by pulse beetle. The most effective dose of 1.5ml caused maximum mortality, repellent and seed protectant

Advances, limitations, and prospects of biosensing technology for detecting phytopathogenic bacteria

Phytopathogenic bacteria cause severe economic losses in agricultural production worldwide. The spread rates, severity, and emerging plant bacterial diseases have become serious threat to the sustainability of food sources and the fruit industry. Detection and diagnosis of plant diseases are imperative in order to manage plant diseases in field conditions, greenhouses, and food storage conditions as well as to maximize agricultural productivity and sustainability. To date, various techniques including, serological, observation-based, and molecular methods have been employed for plant disease detection. These methods are sensitive and specific for genetic identification of bacteria. However, these methods are specific for genetic identification of bacteria. Currently, the innovative biosensor-based disease detection technique is an attractive and promising alternative. A biosensor system involves biological recognition and transducer active receptors based on sensors used in plant-bacteria diagnosis. This system has been broadly used for the rapid diagnosis of plant bacterial pathogens. In the present review, we have discussed the conventional methods of bacterial-disease detection, however, the present review mainly focuses on the applications of different biosensor-based techniques along with point-of-care (POC), robotics, and cell phone-based systems. In addition, we have also discussed the challenges and limitations of these techniques.This work was supported by the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (No: 2014M561669). The high-talent introduction and continuous training fund supported by Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences (Grant No: 10300000021LL05)