New records of Rhodothemis rufa (Rambur, 1842) and Lamelligomphus biforceps (Selys 1878) (Odonata: Anisoptera) from Pakistan with redescription of L. biforceps (Selys 1878)

Abstract The current status and distribution of the dragonflies (Anisoptera) of Pakistan were studied during [2005][2006][2007][2008][2009]. Two dragonfly species were identified for the first time from Pakistan. Among these, Rhodothemis rufa is a red, medium-sized dragonfly. Lamelligomphus biforceps is also reported for the first time from Pakistan and redescribed owing to having minor taxonomic differences from that of Fraser's description. Some notes on the color, literature records and geographical distributions are summarized

Host stage preference and parasitism behaviour of Aenasius bambawaleian an encyrtid parasitoid of Phenacoccus solenopsis

In Pakistan, the cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Sternorrhyncha (Homoptera): Pseudococcidae), is a serious pest of many cultivated plants. A parasitoid, Aenasius bambawalei Hayat (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), is associated with P. solenopsis. In order to mass rear A. bambawalei for a biological control program, it is important to investigate the parasitoid’s host stage preference and its parasitism behavior for P. solenopsis in order to optimize production. The present tudy showed that under both choice and no choice conditions, the parasitoid preferred 3rd instar and pre-reproductive host stage mealybugs for parasitism. Parasitoid larva developing inside the host exhibited a greater longevity, shorter developmental period and longer body size in these preferred host stages. Our study also confirmed that A. bambawalei showed no attraction to male mealybugs and no host feeding on any host stage was recorded. The ability of the parasitoid to effectively discriminate between suitable and non-suitable stages means that it is feasible to rear it on a mixed population

Prospects for the classical biological control of Calotropis procera (Apocynaceae) using co-evolved insects

Calotropis procera (Apocynaceae), a native of tropical Africa, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent, is a serious environmental and rangeland weed of Australia and Brazil. It is also a weed in Hawaii in USA, the Caribbean Islands, the Seychelles, Mexico, Thailand, Vietnam and many Pacific Islands. In the native range C. procera has many natural enemies, thus classical biological control could be the most cost-effective option for its long-term management. Based on field surveys in India and a literature search, some 65 species of insects and five species of mites have been documented on C. procera and another congeneric-invador C. gigantea in the native range. All the leaf-feeding and stem-boring agents recorded on Calotropis spp. have wide host range. Three pre-dispersal seed predators,the Aak weevil Paramecops farinosus and the Aak fruit fly Dacuspersicus in the Indian subcontinent, and the Sodom apple fruit fly Dacus longistylus in the Middle East have been identified as prospective biological control agents based on their field host range. In Australia and Brazil, where C. procera has the potential to spread across vast areas, pre-dispersal seed predators would help to limit the spread of the weed. While the fruits of C. procera vary in size and shape across its range, those from India are similar to the ones in Australia and Brazil. Hence, seed-feeding insects from India are more likely to be suitable due to adaptation to fruit size and morphology. Future survey efforts for potential biological control agents should focus on North Africa