Impact of weather parameters on the seasonal incidence of Helopeltis antonii (Miridae: Hemiptera) on neem

Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.), known for its extensive therapeutic properties, is susceptible to various pests, notably the tea mosquito bug (Helopeltis antonii Signoret). This study investigates the seasonal incidence of H. antonii on neem across different age classes and explores the correlation between meteorological factors and pest infestation. The survey monitored sixty neem trees categorized into three age groups: Category I (less than 2 years), Category II (2-6 years), and Category III (more than 6 years). Peak nymphal populations occurred in November for Categories I (12.70 nymphs/branch) and III (13.35 nymphs/branch), while Category II peaked in October (12.80 nymphs/branch). Complete drying (100% infestation) was observed from late January to mid-February for Categories I and III, and from early December to mid-February for Category II. Correlation analysis revealed a significant negative relationship between infestation levels and minimum temperature, while maximum relative humidity and sunshine hours positively correlated with pest abundance. Multi-linear regression indicated that over 90% of the variation in infestation rates could be attributed to meteorological factors. This study highlights the persistent threat of H. antonii to neem trees, regardless of age and is the first study to look at the seasonal incidence of H. antonii on different age classes of neem. Further research is required to assess the long-term implications of climate variability on H. antonii dynamics and its broader ecosystem effects.

MOOC on Integrated Pest Management (IPM): A New Online Venture in Agricultural Education System

The landscape of agriculture is changing rapidly due to include agribusiness in supply­chain operations and management. As a result, there is an absolute necessity to empower farmers, women and youth in terms of livelihood and entrepreneurship skills. Innovations in ICT which are playing an important role in bridging the gap could be successfully employed for this purpose. Looking into its importance National Academy of Agricultural Science (NAAS), New Delhi has brought out a policy paper on ‘MOOC for capacity building in Indian agriculture: Opportunities and challenges’ in January 2015. The policy paper emphasises the strength and potential of MOOC in reaching out larger section of the students/faculty/extension personnel in delivering the goods. Encouraged by the policy decision, MOOCs in some of the agricultural subjects were designed and offered in collaboration with NPTEL and IITK of which, IPM was one among them. // Paper ID 47

Time/height plots for numbers of insects recorded by a VLR at Cholbolton, Hampshire, UK.

<p>The colour scale bar refers to the number of individually-resolvable insects detected by the radar at each sampling height in each 5-minute period. The X-axis shows time of day (GMT), and the ‘early’ and ‘late’ analysis periods are indicated. A. Insect densities on a warm day (05 September 2004), when air temperatures at 10 m, 150 m and 600 m were 24.7°C, 22.8°C and 18.5°C respectively. B. Insect densities on a much cooler day (15 September 2004), when air temperatures at 10 m, 150 m and 600 m were 15.4°C, 13.2°C and 8.8°C respectively. Substantial density was constrained to time-periods and altitudes where air temperatures were relatively warm. Air temperatures were obtained from the UK Met Office's ‘Unified Model’ <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0054202#pone.0054202-Wood1" target="_blank">[14]</a>.</p

Lorenz curves for insect displacement speeds and densities by period.

<p>Lorenz curves for insect displacement speeds and densities by period.</p

Linear regressions.

<p>Fitted and observed relationships with 95% confidence intervals between Chilbolton and Rothamsted logged displacement speeds by period: A. early period; B. late period, and, Chilbolton and Rothamsted square-root transformed insect densities by period: C. early period, D. late period.</p

Location of the vertical-looking radars.

<p>The radars at Rothamsted, Hertfordshire (shaded) and Chilbolton, Hampshire (white-filled) are shown. The arrow indicates that the Euclidean distance between the sites is 104 km.</p

Evidence for facultative migratory flight behavior in Helicoverpa armigera (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) in India

Despite its deleterious impact on farming and agriculture, the physiology and energetics of insect migration is poorly understood due to our inability to track their individual movements in the field. Many insects, e.g. monarch butterflies,Danaus plexippus(L.), are facultative migrants. Hence, it is important to establish whether specific insect populations in particular areas migrate. The polyphagous insect,Helicoverpa armigera(Hübner), is especially interesting in this regard due to its impact on a variety of crops. Here, we used a laboratory-based flight mill assay to show thatHelicoverpa armigerapopulations clearly demonstrate facultative migration in South India. Based on various flight parameters, we categorized male and female moths as long, medium or short distance fliers. A significant proportion of moths exhibited long-distance flight behavior covering more than 10 km in a single night, averaging about 8 flight hours constituting 61% flight time in the test period. The maximum and average flight speeds of these long fliers were greater than in the other categories. Flight activity across sexes also varied; male moths exhibited better performance than female moths. Wing morphometric parameters including forewing length, wing loading, and wing aspect ratio were key in influencing long-distance flight. Whereas forewing length positively correlated with flight distance and duration, wing loading was negatively correlated.</jats:p