Field Application of Trichogramma chilonis (Ishii) for the Management of Sugarcane Borers

Abstract.-These studies were conducted at farmer's fields in Mardan district during the cropping season [2008][2009] to investigate the efficacy and potentiality of inundative and inoculative release methods of Trichogramma chilonis (Ishii) for the management of sugarcane borers. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design. There were three treatments and four replications in each treatment. The data revealed that both inundative and inoculative release methods of T. chilonis were more effective as compared with the control throughout the entire growing season. Inundative release method of T. chilonis was found the most effective technique against Chilo infuscatellus (Snellen) infestation in both sugarcane plant and ratoon crops with minimum mean percent infestation of 3.50 and 6.50 respectively. This was followed by Inoculative release method, where 6.75 and 10.00 mean percent infestation was recorded in sugarcane plant and ratoon crops respectively. Maximum infestation was recorded in control plots with mean percent infestation of 7.87 and 12.75 in sugarcane plant and ratoon crops respectively. The data further revealed that inundative release method of T. chilonis in both sugarcane plant and ratoon crops also effectively controlled Acigona steniellus (Hamp) with minimum borer's infestation by recording 3.25 and 3.37 mean percent infestations in both sugarcane plant and ratoon crops respectively. It was followed by the plots where T. chilonis were released as inoculative release method, where 4.87 and 6.25 mean percent infestation was recorded in sugarcane plant and ratoon crop respectively. Control plots showed maximum A. steniellus infestation in plant crop (7.27%) and ratoon crop (7.65%). The data further showed that no Scirpophaga nivella Fabric infestation was recorded in both sugarcane plant and ratoon crops. Maximum yield of sugarcane was recorded in both plant and ratoon crops of sugarcane in plots treated with inundative release method (101.5t/ha in plant crop and 69.25 t/ha in ratoon crop) followed by inoculative release method (95.84t/ha in plant crop and 63.14t/ha in ratoon crop). The lowest yield of sugarcane was recorded in control (91.14 t/ha and 58.33 t/ha)

The Impact of Temperature on Biological and Life Table Parameters of Cryptoleamus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Fed on Cotton Mealy Bug, Phenococcus solenopsis Tinsley

Abstract.-The impact of temperature on biological and life table parameters of Cryptoleamus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) fed on cotton mealy bug were evaluated at three different temperatures i.e. 24, 28 and 32±1°C with 65 ±5% relative humidity and 16:8 ( L:D) photoperiod under growth chamber. Results showed that rearing of C. montrouzieri at 28°C, resulted in optimum developmental and reproductive characteristics and life table parameters. It was inferred from the present findings that rapid development of C. montrouzieri at 32°C can be useful if quick development is desired in laboratories. At 28°C, the recorded total female fecundity was highest, as females tend to oviposit a total of 235.1±0.08 eggs per female. Highest survival rate (92%) from egg to adult emergence was recorded at 28°C as compared to all other temperatures. Highest survivorship rate (Lx) (0.905), maximum oviposition rate per female per day (Mx) (235.1) and highest values of R 0 (203.1), r m (0.0374) were obtained by rearing of C. montrouzieri at 28°C. The longest mean generation time (T) (91.2) and doubling time (DT) (13.11) of C. montrouzieri was achieved by rearing at 24 °C, while highest death rate (Dx) (24.60) was recorded at 32°C

Management of Sugarcane Stem Borer Chilo infuscatellus (Snellen) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Through Trichogramma chilonis (Ishii) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) and Selective Use of Insecticides

Abstract.-Studies regarding the management of sugarcane stem borer, Chilo infuscatellus through different release levels of Trichogramma chilonis (Ishii) and selective use of insecticides i.e. Corbofuran 3G @ 8 kg/Acre and Thimet 5G @ 10 kg/Acre in comparison with T. chilonis were carried out in two different experiments, in the sugarcane fields of the Research Farm Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University Peshawar, during 2008. In the first experiment regarding the different release levels of T. chilonis i.e. single release (T1, @ 8 Trichocards/Acre), double release (T2, @ 16 Trichocards/Acre), triple release (T3, 24 Trichocards/Acre) quadruple release (T4, 32 Trichocards/Acre) and T5 (Control, no release). Highest mean percent parasitism (62.60%) and lowest mean percent infestation (1.25%) of the sugarcane stem borer was observed in quadruple release plot (T4). It was followed by the triple release plot (T3), with mean percent parasitism of 52.74% and percent infestation of 1.57%. In the 2 nd experiment regarding the use of T. chilonis in comparison with insecticides in the treated plots, highest mean percent parasitism (66.61%) and lowest mean percent infestation (0.49%) of the sugarcane stem borer was observed in the quadruple release of Trichocards. Increased yield (46.29 tones / ha) was also recorded in the quadruple release of Trichocards. Both insecticides showed statistically same response in percent infestation of sugarcane stem borer and also yield of sugarcane, while higher percent parasitism was recorded in the Carbofuran 3G treated plots as compared with the Thimet 5G treated plots. Based on these results Trichocards (@32 Trichocards/Acre) are recommended for the management of sugarcane stem borer instead of insecticides. Moreover, this practice may have significant role to protect the environment and conserve the natural resources from insecticides contamination

Appraisal of Different Tomato Genotypes against Tomato Fruit Worm (Helicoverpa armigera Hub.) Infestation

Abstract.-Screening of tomato genotypes were conducted to devise an integrated pest management strategy against tomato fruit worm, Helicoverpa armigera. Fourteen commercially available tomato genotype viz. Mission 102, Sultan, 027, Chinar, GS 5575, Sourabh, T 7008, R 165, RK 101, Riogrande, Roma, Bambino, Super Classic and Roma VF were tested for resistance against H. armigera infestation under field conditions at the New Developmental Farm (NDF) of the University of Agriculture, Peshawar during 2009 and 2010. The genotypes Chinar, Sourabh and Sultan had minimum fruit weight loss (18.98%, 21. 01% and 21.89%, respectively) as well as minimum number of infested fruits (21.40%, 23.87% and 25.43%, respectively) by the H. armigera. These genotypes also had minimum H. armigera larval population, i.e. 1.52, 1.66 and 1.65 larvae/plant, respectively. The genotypes R 165 and GS5575 had maximum loss in fruit weight (37.40% and 36.36%) as well as maximum number of infested fruit (39.40% and 40.47%) with larval population of 2.06 and 2.10 larvae/plant. Chinar yielded significantly higher (20752 kg/ha) than other genotypes while Bambino gave the lowest yield (9546 kg/ha). There was positive correlation between fruit damage on the weight basis and number basis. The correlation between H. armigera larval population and yield was found to be negative. Negative correlation was also found between yield and fruit damage both on weight basis and number basis. Over all, Chinar gave better results as it was pest resistant as well as high yielding than other tested genotype

Behavioral Changes of Heterotermes indicola (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) Against Some Natural Products

Abstract.-Study regarding the response of five different plants extracts viz. garlic (Allium sativum), turmeric (Curcuma longa), black tea (Camellia sinensis), green chilies (Capsicum annum) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) on termite species Heterotermes indicola was conducted at Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Peshawar. Garlic, ginger and green chilies were used with the ratio of 1:2 and tea and turmeric in 1:4 (W/V). After one day of application garlic caused significantly high mortality (100%) compared to chilies, turmeric, ginger and tea, while 100% mortality occurred in chilies, turmeric, ginger and tea after 9 th, 10 th, and 11 th day, respectively. Termiticidal effect of all treatments showed that the most toxic treatment was garlic followed by green chilies, turmeric, ginger and black tea. Behavioral response were studied using Abid's track move software with respect to control. Total distance covered in all treatments was reduced as time passed while in turmeric the total distance covered was increased. Average speed covered by termite worker was also different in all treatments. The speed of termite worker was increased in turmeric compared to that of ginger, black tea, garlic and green chilies. Pause time and non pause time effect was found different in turmeric compared to black tea, ginger, garlic and green chilies. Resting periods in all treatments were increased or their movement slowed down except in turmeric in which termite worker became excited as the time passed

Effect of larval diets on the life table parameters of dengue mosquito, Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) using age-stage two sex life table theory

Abstract The current study regarding the effects of larval diets on the life table parameters of dengue mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti was conducted under laboratory conditions at 27 ± 2 °C and 60 ± 5% relative humidity at NIFA (Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture) Peshawar, Pakistan. The data on life table parameters of Ae. aegypti reared on Diet 1 (replacement diet), Diet 2 (Khan’s diet for Anopheles), Diet 3 (Khan’s modified diet) and Diet 4 (IAEA diet) were analyzed using the age-stage, two-sex life table software. Diet 4 (IAEA) was used as a control for comparison. The results indicated that significantly maximum percentage of egg hatching of Ae. aegypti was observed when reared on Diet 4 (73.86%) and Diet 3 (72.90%), while less % of egg hatching was recorded in Diet 1 (40.67%) and Diet 2 (55.53%). The data further showed that the Diet 3 had a highest intrinsic rate of increase (r) (0.097 ± 5.68 day−1), finite rate of increase (λ) (1.10 ± 6.26 day−1) and net reproductive rate (R 0 ) (11.99 ± 1.52 eggs/female) followed by Diet 2 and Diet 4. The mean generation time (T) of Ae. aegypti reared on Diet 3 (23.67 ± 0.86 days) and Diet 1 (24.05 ± 0.61 days) was significantly shorter than Diet 2 (26.15 ± 0.71 days) and Diet 4 (26.41 ± 0.38 days). The overall results revealed that Diet 3 showed good results at different life table parameters of Ae. aegypti and can be used as the preferred diet in the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) where the mass culture of mosquitoes is required

Life table study of Sitotroga cerealella on different cereals and its implications on the performance of the egg parasitoid (Trichogramma chilonis) under laboratory conditions

Abstract Sitotroga cerealella is one of the major pests of cereals in the field and storage conditions throughout the world. The main objective was to study the life tables of S. cerealella on wheat, maize and barley and its implications on percent parasitism of Trichogramma chilonis. S. cerealella is reared under lab conditions as its eggs are utilized for rearing T. chilonis. Fresh eggs of S. cerealella were collected and after hatching the neonate larvae of S. cerealella were transferred onto each host plant species for obtaining first (F1) generation (G). Seventy eggs were used for each host and each egg was used as a replicate. Daily observations were made for recording the life-table parameters of the S. cerealella. The data showed that the developmental time of S. cerealella eggs and pupae was maximum (5.68 and 7.75 days) when reared on wheat, while the maximum larval duration (19.77 days) of S. cerealella was recorded on barley. The maximum fecundity (290.30 ± 22.47 eggs/female) was recorded on maize, while minimum fecundity per female was recorded on barley (159.30 eggs/ female). The S. cerealella reared on maize had significantly higher values of finite rate of increase (λ), intrinsic rate of increase (r), and net reproductive rate (R o ) (0.14 ± 0.04 day− 1, 1.16 ± 0.05 day− 1, and 136.85 ± 20.25 eggs/ female) respectively. The mean generation time (T) (35.18 ± 0.61 days) was higher on wheat. Likewise, the gross reproductive rate (GRR) and the age-stage specific reproductive values (v xj ) of newly oviposited eggs of S. cerealella were recorded higher (136.85 ± 20.25; 1.160 offspring) on maize. The data regarding the efficacy of T. chilonis for different parameters were recorded higher on maize i.e., percent parasitism (89.00 ± 2.30%), percent adult emergence (81.60 ± 1.20%), adult longevity (3.80 ± 0.10 days) and total adult longevity (9.90 ± 0.20 days) as compared to wheat and barley. Our findings revealed that S. cerealella can be best reared on maize under laboratory conditions as it prefers this host as compared to wheat and barley. Therefore, assigning the most susceptible and favorite host (maize) would help us to improve T. chilonis mass production under laboratory conditions