Entomology 

 

SCIENTISTS:

1.    Mrs. Manoja Patnaik, Scientist–C (Sectional Head)

 

 MANDATES:

Ø     Generation of information regarding mulberry and silkworm pests.

Ø     Implementation of the projects related to management of pests of mulberry and silkworm.

Ø     Monitoring of incidence of pests of mulberry and silkworm.

Ø     Generation of database on pest incidence.

Ø     Providing consultancy for management of pests to the Department of Sericulture and National Silkworm Seed Organization.

Ø     Providing faculty support to different structured & non-structured courses of the Training division.    

Ø     Imparting training to the field functionaries for management of pests.

Ø     Large scale awareness campaign and field demonstration of insect pest management technologies. 

 

ACHIEVEMENTS:      

Mulberry Pests 

Ø         Life cycle of Pink mealy bug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus was studied.

Ø         Tukra incidence pattern in various ecozones was recorded.

Ø         Life cycle of whitefly, Dialeuropora decempuncta was studied

 

Ø        Leaf yield loss was determined due to infestation of major mulberry pests like Thrips, Mealy bug and Whitefly.

 

Ø         Economic Threshold Level for Thrips / Mealy bug / Whitefly was determined.

 

Ø         Recommended control measures for management of Thrips / Mealy bug / Whitefly.

 

Ø         Forewarning calendar for major mulberry pests for three traditional districts of west Bengal was prepared.

 

Ø         Hot spot zones for whitefly infestation were identified in three traditional districts of West Bengal.

 

Silkworm Pest

 

Ø         Life cycle and biology of Uzi fly was studied.

Ø         Survey and surveillance of Uzi fly was done.

Ø         Uzi fly control was done with chemosterilant.

Ø         Extent of crop loss due to Uzi fly infestation was determined.

 

Ø         Forewarning Calendar for Uzi fly incidence pattern in traditional districts of West Bengal was prepared.

 

Ø         Mechanical and chemical control measures were recommended for management of Uzi fly.

 

RESOURCES:              

1.      Stereoscopic Microscope (Leitz)

2.      Centrifuge (Remi T 24)

3.      Illuminated magnifying glass (Swivel Lens 10 X 4x)

4.      Electronic balance (Anamed) 

 

ONGOING PROJECTS:

 

1.      PRE-3345: Development of weather based forewarning system for mulberry pests. (2005 – 2010) Extended up to 2015.

 

2.      ARE-3464: Biology and feeding efficacy studies of Scymnus pallidicolli (Mulsant) for the eco-friendly management of pink mealy bug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green). (2011 – 2013)

 

PROGRAMME:

 

1.      BPR(VP)-006: Studies on the field efficacy of selected does of insecticide in whitefly management. (2011 – 2013)

 

Validation Programme:

 

1.    Field evaluation of botanical insecticides for management of major mulberry pests and their impact on leaf yield (2008 –10).

 

  CONCLUDED PROJECTS:

 

PRE- 001 : Control of mulberry pests for thrips and mealy bug

 

      Highlights :

 

Ø       Determined leaf yield loss due to major mulberry pests like Thrips and Mealy bug.

 

Ø       Determined Economic Threshold Level of Thrips and Mealy bug .

 

Ø       Recommended control measures for management of Thrips and Mealy bug.

 

Ø       Forewarning calendar for Thrips and mealy bug for three traditional districts of West Bengal was prepared.

 

      ARE- 001 : Life table and population dynamics of Uzi fly on its primary host, Bombyx mori .

 

   Highlights :

 

Ø      Extent of crop loss due to Uzi infestation was determined.

 

Ø       Seasonal incidence of Uzi fly was recorded.

 

 

Ø       Forewarning calendar for Uzi fly was prepared.

 

      ARE- 002: Control of Uzi fly.

 

   Highlights:

 

Ø      Mechanical and chemical control measures for Uzi fly were developed.

 

      PRE- 3155: Studies on whitefly and its management

 

   Highlights:  

 

Ø   Incidence of whitefly population was studied along with abiotic factors, secondary hosts and natural enemies.

Ø   Forewarning calendar for whitefly for three traditional districts of West Bengal was prepared.

Ø   Crop loss due to whitefly infestation was estimated.

Ø   Economic Threshold Level of whitefly was determined.

Ø   Control measures through mechanical, botanical / chemical and biological means for management of whitefly were recommended.

 

BHRTEMP – 0002: Screening and short listing of plant extracts for their insecticidal effect.

    

     Highlights:

Crude extracts from three locally available plants were short listed for insecticidal properties against mulberry pests.

 

 

PRE 3311: Efficacy of Botanical insecticides for management of major mulberry pests and their bio-safety to silkworm and natural enemies.

 

     Highlights:

Ø      For control of thrips 1.0% Nicotine ex, 2.0% Pongamia oil and 2.0% Neem oil, for mealy bug 1.5% Pongamia oil, 2.0% Neem oil & 2.0% Nicotine ex. & for whitefly 1.0% Neem oil, 1.0% Nicotine ex. & 1.0% (Pongamia oil + Neem oil 1:5) were found effective in suppression.

Ø      Of the treatments found effective 1.5% Pongamia oil, 2.0% Pongamia, 1.0% Nicotine ex, 2.0% Nicotine ex, & 1.0% (Pongamia oil + Neem oil 1:5) have no impact on survival and economic characters and are on par with the control.

Ø      Botanical insecticides were found to be safe to the native predators.

 

PRE-3394: Studies on the efficacy of some insecticides for management of whitefly and their bio-safety to silkworm, Bombyx mori (2007-2010).

     

     Highlights:

 

Ø      Effective concentration of a new chemical insecticide, thiamethoxam (0.015%)  was identified for the management of whitefly (Safe period : 14 days) with a benefit cost ratio 2.74: 1. 

 

Ø      This technology is being validated at 25 (nos.) farmers’ fields spread over three traditional districts of West Bengal during 2011-2013.

 

 

 Last updated: <7 February 2012>