An exhaustive approach had been undertaken to investigate the incidental pattern of Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coq.) (Diptera : Tephritidae) round the year with a view to formulate a sustainable management technique against the pest. Significant variation in occurrence of the pest was recorded during the period of investigation. Trapping of male melon fly was started from 01.10.2006 and continued up to 30.09.2008 by using sex attractant, Cuelure. During warm and rainy months (June, July, August, at 25-37 o C) the flies were more active as compared to that of dry and winter (December, January, February 8-23 o C) months. Significant positive correlation (r) of fly incidence was noted with minimum (r= +0.7596) and maximum temperature (r= +0.7376), whereas temperature gradient correlated negatively (r=-0.4789) with fly incidence. Negative correlation of fly incidence was also recorded with maximum humidity (r=-0.4249) and humidity gradient (r=-0.5481) and positive (r= +0.4366) with the minimum. Rainfall and sunshine hour per day showed positive (r= +0.4367) and negative (r=-0.3123) correlation with the fly incidence respectively. Regression equations of fly incidence with all the meteorological parameters were also determined. Results of the present investigation may be utilized in chalking out sustainable pest management strategy in the agro-ecological system under consideration. @ JASEM

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Adverse effect of moisture on some microbial insecticides such as Halt (Bacillus thuriengiensis var kurstaki, B.t.k.- 55000 S.U./mg), Biolep (B.t.k.- 32000 I.U. /mg), Vertimec (product of Streptomyces avermitilis - Avermectin1.8% w/v) and Bassina (formulation of Beauvaria bassiana-1 x 107 spore / ml) were studied against third instar larvae of mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori L. under four levels of relative humidity ( 30%, 60%, 80% and 90% R.H.) and constant temperature (20 0 C ± 2 0 C). The biocide avermectin at 1000 ppm caused 96.66% and 95.00% mortality after 72 h of treatment at 80% and 90% relative humidity respectively. Whereas, halt and biolep caused 95.00%, 90.00% and 81.66%, 80.00% mortality after 72 h at the two respective humidies level. Through fungal formulation of B. bassiana proved to be less harmful against B. mori at 30% and 60% R.H. it inflicted 40 – 43.33% mortality at higher moisture level (>70% R.H.). Relative humidity was found to play a major role towards pathogenecity of all the tested microbials against B. mori. Increasing mortality was recorded with increase in days after treatment and maximum effect was noticed at 80% R.H. The overall effect followed the same trend for all the microbial insecticides, and the observed descending order was Avermectin > Halt > biolep > B. bassiana at four levels of relative humidity, respectively.

In the evaluation of efficacy of seven biopesticides, two foliar sprays done at fifteen days interval were effective in reducing whitefly Dialeuropora decempunctata (Quintance and Baker) incidence in mulberry. Neem oil (3%) was the most effective (71.10% reduction over control) followed by pongamia oil (3%) and Torpedo (plant extract of Sophora and Stemona sp.-1ml/l) by 65.14% and 59.61%, respectively. Tobacco decoction (5%), ginger rhizome extract (15%) and chilli-garlic extract were the least effective. All the evaluated botanicals were safe to natural enemies observed on mulberry. Chilli-garlic extract and ginger rhizome extract were the safest against coccinellids and spiders, respectively.

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