No abstract

Different factitious hosts were used to mass rear Trichogramma japonicum Ashmead in different parts of the globe because thorough details were lacking in both the laboratory and the field. The objective of this study was to compare, parasitoid, T. japonicum reared in different factitious hosts. Three commonly used factitious host eggs, Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton), Ephestia kuehniella Zeller and Sitotroga cerealella Olivier were tested under laboratory conditions and then in the field over a yellow stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulus (Walker) of rice. The highest parasitism by T. japonicum was observed on E. kuehniella eggs. The parasitoid’s highest emergence (88.99%) was observed on S. cerealella eggs at 24 h exposure, whereas at 48 h it was on E. kuehniella eggs (94.66%). Trichogramma japonicum females that emerged from E. kuehniella eggs were significantly long-lived. The days of oviposition by hosts and the host species were significant individually, but not their interaction. Higher proportions of flying T. japonicum were observed when reared on E. kuehniella and C. cephalonica eggs. Field results showed that T. japonicum mass-reared on E. kuehniella showed higher parasitism of its natural host, S. incertulus eggs. Hence, by considering these biological characteristics and field results, E. kuehniella could be leveraged for the mass rearing of quality parasitoids of T. japonicum in India, the Asian continent and beyond.

No abstract

Agriculture has always been affected by intractable pests. Conventional agriculture still relies on the use of several pesticides to control various pests to ensure the yield of the crop and to feed a constantly growing population. To reduce the pest menace, the fatuous behavior of people as well as a natural proclivity towards the use of pesticides in a non-judicious manner, has caused several ecological backlashes such as secondary pest outbreak, pest resurgence and non-target organism's exploitation. Effects of pesticides on non-target organisms area worldwide concern and contention are the basis for most legislation regarding usage of specific pesticides. Pesticides, besides their effect on pests, would also affect several beneficial non-targets. The effect of pesticides could be lethal and may prove catastrophic or sublethal and stimulate the growth and development of non targeted biota's. Hence, this review approaches well-analyzed hindsight regarding the effect of pesticides on the natural enemies as well as other non-target organisms present in the rice agroecosystem.