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

Fermented Liquid Biofertilizer from Banana Waste-A Value Added Product

As a remedy to meet the current alarming situation caused by chemical fertilizers, agricultural sectors are now refocusing on organic manure production from food waste. Banana wastes have potential biomass and nutrients which could be reutilized. This study aimed to assess the potential of fermented banana waste as a biofertilizer. Banana fruit waste was fermented using cow dung and cow urine. The Physico-chemical components, total bacterial load, phosphate solubilizers count, fecal coliforms count, and germination index of the prepared Fermented Banana Waste – Biofertilizer (FBW-B) was studied. pH of 6.72 and EC value of 19.41 ± 0.09 ms/cm were observed in Fermented Banana Waste - Biofertilizer (FBW-B). The mineral content of FBW-B was: total nitrogen (0.26 ± 0.001), phosphorus (0.35 ± 0.02), potassium (0.04 ± 0.00 %), calcium (2096 ± 12.08 mg/kg), magnesium (595 ± 4.23 mg/kg), sulphur (169 ± 10.7 mg/kg), iron (122.6 ± 0.92 mg/kg), zinc (8.38 ± 0.9 mg/kg), copper (2.41 ± 0.1 mg/kg), lead (4.34 ± 0.02 mg/kg) and manganese (9.83 ± 0.7 mg/kg). In the bacterial population, phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) in a considerable count were noted in FBW-B with the absence of fecal coliforms. Germination test shows that FBW-B has growth promotion potential after 50 fold dilution. The outcome of the study contributes to the development of organic liquid fertilizer from fruit waste and alleviates the effect of disposed of fruit waste and harmful effects of chemical fertilizers on the environment and humans

Fermented Liquid Biofertilizer from Banana Waste-A Value Added Product

As a remedy to meet the current alarming situation caused by chemical fertilizers, agricultural sectors are now refocusing on organic manure production from food waste. Banana wastes have potential biomass and nutrients which could be reutilized. This study aimed to assess the potential of fermented banana waste as a biofertilizer. Banana fruit waste was fermented using cow dung and cow urine. The Physico-chemical components, total bacterial load, phosphate solubilizers count, fecal coliforms count, and germination index of the prepared Fermented Banana Waste – Biofertilizer (FBW-B) was studied. pH of 6.72 and EC value of 19.41 ± 0.09 ms/cm were observed in Fermented Banana Waste - Biofertilizer (FBW-B). The mineral content of FBW-B was: total nitrogen (0.26 ± 0.001), phosphorus (0.35 ± 0.02), potassium (0.04 ± 0.00 %), calcium (2096 ± 12.08 mg/kg), magnesium (595 ± 4.23 mg/kg), sulphur (169 ± 10.7 mg/kg), iron (122.6 ± 0.92 mg/kg), zinc (8.38 ± 0.9 mg/kg), copper (2.41 ± 0.1 mg/kg), lead (4.34 ± 0.02 mg/kg) and manganese (9.83 ± 0.7 mg/kg). In the bacterial population, phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) in a considerable count were noted in FBW-B with the absence of fecal coliforms. Germination test shows that FBW-B has growth promotion potential after 50 fold dilution. The outcome of the study contributes to the development of organic liquid fertilizer from fruit waste and alleviates the effect of disposed of fruit waste and harmful effects of chemical fertilizers on the environment and humans

New records of invasive insects (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha) in Southeast Asia and West Africa

Several sap-sucking insects (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha) of neotropical origin have been accidentally introduced to Southeast Asia and West Africa in recent years, including the mealybugs Paracoccus marginatus Williams & Granara de Willink, Phenacoccus madeirensis Green, Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi Gimpel & Miller, and the whitefly Aleurodicus dugesii Cockerell (Aleyrodidae). This paper documents new distribution records of introduced mealybugs and some other sap-sucking hemipteran insects (Coccidae and Diaspididae) in these regions and discusses progress in the biological control of some of these pests