Background & objectives: Dakshina Kannada is one of the districts of Karnataka state of India with high incidences of mosquito-borne diseases, especially malaria and dengue. The larval stages of the mosquitoes are very important in determining the prevalence of adult mosquitoes and associated diseases. Hence, the occurrence of mosquito species was investigated by sampling different water bodies present in the Dakshina Kannada district from June 2014 to May 2017. Methods: Random sampling was carried out from permanent and temporary, artificial and natural water bodies belonging to 11 types of microhabitats using dippers and suction pumps. Results: A maximum of 37 mosquito species belonging to 12 genera were recorded with the dominant genera being Culex. Most species have been recorded from temporary bodies of water with the highest number of species in receptacles. Monsoon is the most productive season, both in terms of occurrence and abundance followed by post-monsoon and pre-monsoon. The abundance of mosquito larvae was significantly higher in temporary water bodies compared to the permanent. Interpretation & conclusion: Abundant rainfall in the study area which produces many natural and domestic temporary water bodies accounts for mosquito breeding throughout the year.

Exorista bombycis (Louis), known as uzi fly, causes considerable damage to silkworm rearings in several silkproducing countries including India. Various control measures have been adopted by farmers to control uzi fly. Although these measures help to reduce uzi infestation, the economic loss is not completely avoided. We therefore undertook an IPM programme involving spraying of an insecticide (a liquid formulation of 1% benzoic acid) against eggs and augmentative release of the indigenous gregarious parasitoid Nesolynx thymus (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) against puparia. In all, 129 silkworm rearings consisting of 16575 layings were subjected to integrated management between September 1990 and August 1992. All the silkworms raised were sprayed with a recommended dosage of insecticide and a total of c. 17.9 million adults of N. thymus were released during rearing of silkworms. The results indicate that the IPM approach is highly successful as a 77.0% decline in the losses due to uzi infestation is recorded.