Forthcoming

ENTOMON 49(4): 477-486

Article No. ent. 49401

Olfactory and electrophysiological response of cucumber moth Diaphania indica (Saunders)n(Lepidoptera, Crambidae) to different plants

Geethu Gopakumar and V. Vijayasree*

Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayani 695522,

Kerala, India

Email: vijayasree.v@kau.in

ABSTRACT: The behavioural response of adults and larvae of cucumber moth, Diaphania indica (Saunders) (Lepidoptera, Crambidae), a serious pest of cucurbitaceous crops was evaluated on different cucurbitaceous and non-cucurbitaceous plants through olfactometer bioassay. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in these plants were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Further, electrophysiological response of D. indica to plant extracts and synthetic volatiles were recorded by electroantennographic detection. Larvae had the highest olfactory response to wild coccinia followed by bitter gourd, coccinia and cucumber. In GC-MS analysis, á-linolenic acid, palmitic acid and dotriacontane were identified as common components in leaf extracts, whereas, benzaldehyde was the major component in headspace of dried leaves. The antennae of gravid female moths were more sensitive to plant odours than unmated females and males. Gravid females showed highest response to extracts of bitter gourd and unmated females to cucumber extract. A synthetic volatile mixture of 10?L of benzaldehyde and 30?L of benzyl alcohol were found responsible for high antennal response. Significant orientation and landing response were shown by D. indica moths to a mixture of 10?L benzaldehyde (10%) and 20?L benzyl alcohol (10%). These findings suggest the above blend could be employed for the development of plant volatile based management strategies. © 2024 Association for Advancement of Entomology

KEY WORDS: Host plant volatile, kairomone, electroantennogram, olfactometer, cucurbits

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ENTOMON 49(4): 487-494

Article No. ent. 49402

Notes on the final emergence and moulting pattern of Ischnura senegalensis Rambur, 1842 (Zygoptera, Coenagrionidae) and Anax immaculifrons Rambur, 1842 (Anisoptera, Aeshnidae)

Rahul B. Bhende, Arajush Payra^# and Ashish D. Tiple*

PG Department of Zoology, Dr. R.G. Bhoyar Arts, Commerce and Science College, Seloo, Wardha,

Maharashtra 442 104, India.

#Department of Environmental Studies, Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University, Pune

411038, Maharashtra, India

Email: ashishdtiple@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: The complete emergence of two odonate species Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur, 1842) (Zygoptera, Coenagrionidae) and Anax immaculifrons (Anisoptera, Aeshnidae) were studied at Wardha district of Maharashtra, India. The average time to complete emergence in Ischnura senegalensis was 92.2 minutes and in the case of Anax immaculifrons the average time for the (F-0) stage larvae for emergence it into fully flying adult was 40 days. I. senegalensis emerges in a vertical posture and emerges between 8 00 h and 16 00 h during the day. Emergence of the A. immaculifrons was observed at night, with times ranging from 21h to 01h and it emerges in a vertical posture. The (F-1) stage larva of A. immaculifrons was cannibalised by the (F-0) stage larva by only cutting the thorax and separating the head and abdomen. One unsuccessful emergence was observed in A. immaculifrons, where one of the wings remain wrinkled and unstretched. © 2024 Association for Advancement of Entomology

KEY WORDS: Odonata, emergence, exuvia, instar, moulting, pharate

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ENTOMON 49(4): 495-500

Article No. ent. 49403

Management of tomato fruit borer Helicoverpa armigera Hub. (Lepidoptera Noctuidae) in Punjab, India

Shimpy Sarkar^*1, Arshdeep Singh², Insha Muzaffar³, Iddi Nangkar⁴ and Iza Fatima5

^*1,4Department of Entomology, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Punjab 144411,

India

2Department of Agronomy, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Punjab 144411,

India

3Department of Zoology, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, Punjab, India.

5Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma,

USA.

Email: shimpy610@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: Spinosad, novaluron, neem oil, rynaxypyr, HaNPV and Bt were evaluated to reduce the fruit damage in tomato due to fruit borer (Helicoverpa armigera). Novaluron recorded the maximum benefit cost ratio (29.06) and hihest improved yield (65.22 q ha-1). Bt had a cost benefit ratio of 17.98, due to the lesser cost of plant protection. © 2024 Association for Advancement of Entomology

KEY WORDS: Better productivity, less toxicity, residue, benefit cost ratio

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ENTOMON 49(4): 501-510

Article No. ent. 49404

Field life tables and key mortality factors of Pieris brassicae (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera, Pieridae) infesting cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) in Punjab, India

Deep Shikha^1*, Ravinder Singh Chandi¹, Sanjeev Kumar Kataria² and Jaspreet Sidhu³

1Punjab Agricultural University, Department of Entomology, Ludhiana 141004, Punjab, India.

2KVK, Nurmahal, Jalandhar144039, Punjab, India.

3University of California Agricultural and Natural Resources, California 95618, USA.

Email: deepshikha161198@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: To find out the key mortality factors of Pieris brassicae (Linnaeus) on cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis), this study of field life table was conducted during 2021-22 at the research farm of the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab. Among biotic factors, Cotesia glomerata, Beauveria bassiana (Bals.), NPV, Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) were the main causes of mortality. Other unknown factors (temperature, rainfall, relative humidity) also contrived slight decline to all the immature stages of P. brassicae. Results revealed that the egg stage (17.46-28.35%) affected due to unknown factors, whereas, early larval instar stage (I-III) was the most sensitive, showing the highest loss (36.62-43.95%) followed by the late larval instar stage (25.77-29.43%) and pupal stage (16.19-22.41%). The trend index was positive uring both seasons 16.91 (main season) and 19.17 (late season), indicating that population of P. brassicae increased in next season. Similar trend was observed in generation survival i.e. 0.39 (main season) and 0.32

KEY WORDS: Biotic factors, trend index, mortality, parasitisation, survivorship curves

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ENTOMON 49(4): 511-518

Article No. ent. 49405

Exploring the ecological interplay: population dynamics of Ichneumon wasp (Xanthopimpla pedator F.) on the Raily ecorace of Antheraea mylitta D.

Thirupam Reddy^1*, H. S. Gadad², G. R. Halagundegowda³, Shreyansh², I. G.

Prabhu², D. M. Bawaskar⁴, C. Selvaraj⁴, S. M. Mazumdar⁴, Vishaka G.V⁴, P. C.

Gedam4, M.S Rathore4, Vinod Singh4 R. Gowrisankar4 J. Komal4, P.B.

Manjunatha4, K.V Vikram4, S. Ganguly4, H. Nadaf4, T. Selvakumar4 and K.

Sathyanarayana5

1Basic Seed Multiplication and Training, Centre, Central Silk Board, Bastar 494223, Chhattisgarh

India.

2Central Tasar Research and Training Institute, Central Silk Board, Ranchi 835303, Jharkhand,

India.

3Statistics Section, Central Office, Central Silk Board, Bengaluru, India.

4Basic Tasar Silkworm Seed Organization, Central Silk Board, Bilaspur 495112 Chhattisgarh, India.

5Dr. Kalam Agricultural College, Bihar Agricultural University, Arrabari, Kishanganj, 855107, Bihar,

India.

Email: entomophily@gmail.com or btreddy.csb@nic.in

ABSTRACT: This study provides a comprehensive examination of Ichneumon wasp damage on Raily Tasar silkworm cocoons in Chhattisgarh, offering critical insights into the prevalence and distribution of this parasitic infestation. These cocoons traditionally considered resistant to Ichneumon wasp infestations, but during the study, unexpected evident damage symptoms are exhibited during the First crop (Chaiti) harvests in June. The emergence of characteristic signs, including distinct holes at the peduncle base and pupal exit points, confirmed the presence of the Ichneumon wasp and its parasitic activity within the Raily cocoons. The investigation further revealed a notable range in the extent of Ichneumon wasp damage, with percentages ranging from 1.43 to 8.10 per cent across various forested locations in Bastar. District wise analysis indicated that Bastar experienced the highest damage rate (23.50%), followed by Kondagoan (20.50%) and Dhantewada (17.00%). These variations underscore the localized disparities in infestation severity, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions in areas facing higher damage rates.

KEY WORDS: Bastar, tasar silkworm, insect pest, parasitoid

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ENTOMON 49(4): 519-526

Article No. ent. 49406

Population dynamics of pod fly, Melanagromyza obtuse (Malloch) and its natural enemies on pigeonpea

Manoj Kumar Singh¹*, Sunil Kumar Dwivedi² and Harmohan Singh Yadav³

1Department of Zoology, LPU, Phagwara, Punjab144411, India.

2Department of Entomology, LPU, Phagwara, Punjab 144411, India.

3Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, LPU, Phagwara, Punjab 144411, India.

Email: singhkmanoj11@gmail.com; sunil.21186@lpu.co.in; drhms.srcm@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: On pigeon pea pod fly infestation often noticed in the Kharif crop during 2022-23 and 2023-24, along with its other defoliating insects, although it persists up until the crop has been harvested. First appearance of M. obtusa larvae and pupa was observed in the 41st and 39th meteorological standard week (MSW). The peak larval population of 52.00 and 41.00 larvae per 100 pods was noticed in the 44th MSW at both years, while the peak pupal population of 49.00 and 40.00 pupae per 100 pods was seen during the 50^th and 45th MSW. The study showed presence of two hymenopteran parasitoids viz., Euderus lividus (Ashmead) and Ormyrus orientalis (Walker) on the pigeon pea major pest, Melanagromyza obtuse (Malloch). The parasitism level of E. lividus declined from 31.82 to 10.53 and 29.72 to 7.14 per cent from 46^th up to 52nd MSW and 45th up to 50th MSW, respectively. Higher pupal parasitism of O. orientalis was recorded in 47th (25.64%) and 44th (24.32%) MSW; While low parasitism was noted in 1st (3.22%) and 51^st (3.84%) MSW at both years. Above all, correlation between weather parameters, with pod fly larvae and pupae showed that the larval population exhibited a significant positive relation with maximum temperature (r=0.646*) and (r=0.746**) at both years. The natural enemies, E. lividus and O. orientalis of M. obtuse, would improve the biological control of the pest population. © 2024 Association for Advancement of Entomology

KEY WORDS: Hymenopteran parasitoids, Euderus lividus, Ormyrus orientalis, weather parameters, correlation

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ENTOMON 49(4): 527-538

Article No. ent. 49407

Termites (Isoptera) of Kerala: An updated checklist and comprehensive review of species diversity

A.S. Abhirami and G. Prasad*

Conservation Biology Lab, Department of Zoology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom 695581, Kerala,

India.

Email: abhiramiskumar28@gmail.com; probios1@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: This paper presents a comprehensive checklist of termites found in Kerala, including their district-wise distribution. A total of 93 species from three families and 34 genera are documented. Among these, Termitidae emerges as the dominant family, encompassing 76 species from 27 genera across four subfamilies. The recent additions to the termite fauna of Kerala include the endemic species Ceylonitermellus sahyadriensis Ranjith and Kalleshwaraswamy 2022 and Prorhinotermes cotym Joseph, Amina, and Mathew 2023. Notably, the subfamily Termitinae exhibits the highest level of endemism.

KEYWORDS: Distribution, endemism, Termitidae, Termitinae

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ENTOMON 49(4): 539-544

Article No. ent. 49408

Nesting pattern of Apis dorsata F, in urban Nagpur. Maharashtra, India

D.S. Wardhe¹* and S.V. Ghonmode²

1P.G.T. Department of Zoology, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur 440033,

Maharashtra, India.

2S.S.E.S. Amt’s Science College, Congress Nagar, Nagpur 440012, Maharashtra, India

Email: wardhedevyani@gmail.com; drsv.ghonmode@sscnagpur.ac.in

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this research was to examine the Apis dorsata distribution and nesting habits in urban Nagpur. According to the findings, there were about 75 nests in urban Nagpur. Among these 73 per cent were active nests and 21 per cent were abandoned nests. The nesting preference was found to be among the tall building (60%). Out of these nests, 30 per cent were found shielded from the rain and wind, 57 per cent exposed and 13 per cent partially protected. It was noted that the A. dorsata’s habit of building nests was unaffected by the existence of a nearby body of water, as most of the nests were located away from the water body. © 2024 Association for Advancement of Entomology

KEY WORDS: Apini, giant honey bee, rock bee, nests characteristics, nest site preferences, honey

bee nests

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ENTOMON 49(4): 545-548

Short communication No. ent. 49409

First report of some praying mantids (Insecta, Mantodea) from Mizoram state, India

P. Kamila^{1, 2,} *, P. M. Sureshan¹, Sumit Kumar³ and Debasis Das³

1Western Ghat Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Kozhikode 673006, Kerala, India.

2University of Calicut, Thenhipalam, Malappuram 673635, Kerala, India.

3 Zoological Survey of India, M Block, New Alipore, Kolkata 700053, West Bengal, India.

Email: kamiii619@gmail.com, pmsuresh43@gmail.com, sumitsngh95@gmail.com,

ddebadas@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: Seven species of mantids viz. Humbertiella affinis Giglio-Tos, 1917, Acromantis montana

Giglio-Tos, 1915, Anaxarcha acuta Beier, 1963, Creobroter laevicollis (Saussure, 1870), Statilia maculata

(Thunberg, 1784), Statilia nobilis (Brunner de Wattenwyl, 1893) and Tenodera aridifolia (Stoll, 1813) are

KEY WORDS: Mantid fauna, New records, Mizoram

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ENTOMON 49(4): 549-552

Short communication No. ent. 49410

Northernmost record of the endemic damselfly Indosticta deccanensis (Laidlaw, 1915) (Odonata, Zygoptera, Platystictidae) from Western Ghats, Karnataka, India

Tejas Mehendale*¹ and Ajith Padiyar²

1601, Manisha CHS, VP Road, Pendse Nagar, Dombivli (E), 421201, Thane, Maharashtra, India.

284, 6th A Main, Tata Silk Farm, Basavanagudi, Bangalore 560004, Karnataka, India.

Email: tmehendale28@gmail.com; ajithnaturalist@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: Indosticta deccanensis (Laidlaw, 1915) (Odonata, Platystictidae) is an endemic damselfly found in the evergreen forests of Western Ghats of southern India. This species was observed and photographed at Madugundi, Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka. This is the first photographic record for Karnataka and the northernmost in Western Ghats. © 2024 Association for Advancement of Entomology

KEY WORDS: Odonata, endemic species, range extension, Madugundi

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ENTOMON 49(4): 553-556

Short communication No. ent. 494011

Population dynamics of sucking pests, natural enemies, and the incidence of yellow mosaic disease on Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek in relation to weather factors

P.B. Patel¹ and M.K. Jena^2*

1Soil and Water Management Research Unit, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat-396450,

India.

2Section of Applied Entomology, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Horticultural Sciences,

Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland.

Email: d003208@sggw.edu.pl or jenamanoj401@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: The investigation on population dynamics of sucking pests, their natural enemies, and the per cent disease incidence (PDI) of mung bean yellow mosaic disease (YMD) on Vigna radiata was conducted. During the harvest of the crop, the population of Aphis craccivora, Empoasca kerri, ladybird beetle, and the PDI of YMD was the highest on the 17th Standard meteorolo gical week (SMW). In contrast, the population of Bemisia tabaci was at its peak on the 15th SMW. The minimum temperature had highly significant positive correlation with the population of A. craccivora, E. kerri, B. tabaci, ladybird beetle, and the PDI of YMD. Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between wind velocity and the population of ladybird beetles. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was found between the PDI of YMD and the population of B. tabaci. © 2024 Association for Advancement of Entomology

KEY WORDS: Aphid, jassid, ladybird beetle, whitefly, yellow mosaic disease, PDI, correlation

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ENTOMON 49(4): 557-558

Short communication No. ent. 49412

First report of Glenea multiguttata Guerin-Meneville, 1843 (Cerambycidae, Lamiinae) from Goa, India

G.S. Margaj¹, Sanjay J. Sawant², K.N. Nikam^3* and S.V. More⁴

¹Shri Pancham Khemraj Mahavidyalaya Sawantwadi, Sindhudurg 416510, Maharashtra, India.

²Vanshree Foundation Sindhudurg, Aynode-Dodamarg, Sindhudurg 416549, Maharashtra, India.

3Department of Zoology, RBM, Mahavidyalaya Chandgad, Kolhapur 416509, Maharashtra, India.

⁴Department of Zoology, ADK Science College, Dodamarg, Sindhudurg 416512, Maharashtra, India.

Email: kedarinikam@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: Flat faced longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae, Lamiinae) collected in the Ambulor Verna (Goa), was identified as Glenea multtigutta. This species is being reported for the first time from Goa State. Furthermore, the geographical distribution, morphological characters, natural images and taxonomic photo plate are given. © 2024 Association for Advancement of Entomology

KEY WORDS: Morphology, distribution,

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ENTOMON 49(4): 559-564

Short communication No. ent. 49413

Comparative morphometric studies between black and yellow strains of Indian honeybee - Apis cerana

Chethana V. Chalapathy¹, V. Sivaram², D.S. Seetharam^3* and Sharangouda J. Patil^4*

1Department of Life Sciences, Garden City University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

2Department of Botany, Bangalore University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

3Palaeobotany and Palynology Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, Osmania

University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

4Department of Zoology, NMKRV College for Women, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Email: dsdssiddhu8@gmail.com, shajapatil@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: The study aimed to investigate the morphological differences between the strains of the Apis cerana honey bee revealed that there were no major variations with morphology of black and yellow morphs but the proboscis length and number of hamuli on forewing showed some differences. The black and yellow morphs are reproductively isolated and differ slightly in two morphological characteristics out of the 13 examined. The study establishes that without any geographic restriction, population at higher and lower elevations exhibited differences in these two morphological characteristics of honey bees.

KEY WORDS: Feral colony, variations, strains, proboscis, hamuli

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ENTOMON 49(4): 565-568

Short communication No. ent. 49414

Assessing the role of RNA in manifesting the potential of mendione as an effective insecticide against Dysdercus cingulatus F.

Singh-Gupta¹*, S. Magdum² and A. Shere-Kharwar¹

1HPT Arts and RYK Science College, Nasik 422 001, Maharashtra, India.

2KTHM College, Nasik 422 001, Maharashtra

Email: singhguptasupriya@gmail.com; adushere@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: The impact of sublethal concentrations of menadione was evaluated on the RNA content of gonads, fat body, and brain in Dysdercus cingulatus F. Three sublethal concentrations viz. 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 were used topically using a Hamilton syringe. The test insects were dissected after the intervals of post-treatment days 2, 4, and 6. Organs of the treated insects were evaluated and compared for the RNA content with control insects. The biochemical results revealed a gradual significant decline in the RNA content of various tissues under investigation. Hence it was concluded that menadione not only hampers the protein and DNA metabolism, but it roots back to the RNA level to induce histopathological changes in organs to finally act as a reproductive inhibitor and life cycle disruptor. © 2024 Association for Advancement of Entomology

KEY WORDS: Sublethal concentration, naphthoquinone, reproductive inhibitor, DNA metabolism

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ENTOMON 49(4): 569-572

Short communication No. ent. 49415

Life cycle of Megymenum distanti Kocorek & Ghate, 2012 on Momordica indica L. (Heteroptera, Dinidoridae)

Aishwarya S. Naik¹, Vijaykumar S. Gadekar^#2 and S.V. More^*1

1Department of Zoology, ADK Science College, Dodamarg, Sindhudurg 416512, Maharashtra, India.

2Department of Zoology, Sangola College, Sangola, Solapur 413307, Maharashtra, India

Email: sadamore6046@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: The life history of a dinidorid bug Megymenum distanti Kocorek & Ghate, 2012 was examined under controlled laboratory conditions. The female bug laid about 32 eggs after mating. Only 8 of these 32 eggs actually hatched, for a hatching ratio of only 25 per cent and these 8 nymphs were observed further. The eggs required 11 to 13 days to hatch. There were five nymphal stages, lasting 48 days in total. The nymphal periods for the first, second, third, fourth, and the fifth instars were 11, 9, 8, 7 and 13 days, respectively. Male adults survived 21 days on average, whereas female adults lived 32 days on average after mating. Within 82-93 days, the entire life cycle was completed. Except for the first instar nymph, both nymphs and adults feed on leaves of Momordica indica L.

KEY WORDS: Dinidoridae, life history, nymphs, adult longevity

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