Forthcoming

ENTOMON 49(2): 161-168

Article No. ent. 49201

A new species to the genus Neopheosia Matsumura, 1920

(Lepidoptera, Notodontidae) from India

Amritpal Singh Kaleka^1* and Rishi Kumar²

¹Department of Zoology, Punjabi University, Patiala 147001, Punjab, India.

²Department of Zoology, DAV College, Jallandhar 144008, Punjab, India.

Email: apskaleka@gmail.com; jagotarishi@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: A new species of notodontid moth, Neopheosia melaniata sp. nov. is described with

illustration. This new species is closely allied to N. fasciata Moore, 1888 (type species) and completely

conforms to the characterization of genus Neopheosia Matsumura. The wing coloration, distinct discal

spot on forewing and genitalic features make it distinct. The taxonomic account of N. fasicata Moore is

included.

KEY WORDS: Neopheosia melaniata, taxonomic account, characterization, genitalic features

----------------------------

ENTOMON 49(2): 169-176

Article No. ent. 49202

Rearing thermal conditions modulate

the feeding attributes of Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister

(Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae)

Lankesh Yashwant Bhaisare and Desh Deepak Chaudhary*

Behavioral and Molecular Ecology and Biocontrol Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology,

Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak 484887, Madhya Pradesh, India

Email: ddchaudhary90@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: Effects of temperature on the different parameters of consumption and utilization of food,

such as consumption index, conversion of ingested food, absolute digestibility, conversion of digested

food and growth rate were investigated by rearing Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister at 15°C, 20°C, 25°C,

30°C and 35°C. Death of different life stages, including under-developed adults occurred at 15 and 35°C.

Maximum consumption index during the feeding period was observed at 25°C, whereas it was minimum at

30°C. The results revealed that conversion of ingested food was maximum at 20°C and minimum at 25°C.

In addition, the conversion of digested food was maximum at 20°C and minimum at 25°C. However,

absolute digestibility and relative growth rate increased with increasing temperature from 20 to 30°C.

KEY WORDS: Temperature, life stages, consumption index, conversion efficiency, growth

---------------------------------------

ENTOMON 49(2): 177-184

Article No. ent. 49203

Compound eyes of Camponotus compressus (Fabricius,

1798) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) reflects caste specific

organisation and adaptation

Sandra V Satyan, Anuja Joseph and Martin J Babu*

Department of Zoology, St Berchmans College, Changanasserry 686101, Kottayam, Kerala, India.

Email: martinbabu25@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: Caste polymorphs of the ant Camponotus compressus (Fabricius, 1798) are distinct by their

morphology and life styles; the two distinct castes are largely nocturnal and rely on their visual sensory

system to interpret their temporal niches. The compound eyes of the castes were explored through Light

and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) in order to delineate cast specific organisation and adaptations

of the compound eye. The findings reveal that major workers of C. compressus possess a more sophisticated

visual system in terms of its morphological features along with optical properties that enhances a better

vision, which includes a greater number of ommatidia and high ommatidial density, a higher ommatidial

diameter, low inter ommatidial angle and a more efficient pupillary mechanism to counter conditions where

ambient light levels are high. This underlines the dependence of scouts (major workers) on visual system

and the foragers on olfactory system in the species.

KEY WORDS: Ommatidia, caste polymorphs, screening pigments, ommatidial angle

-----------------------------------------

ENTOMON 49(2): 185-192

Article No. ent. 49204

Host range and feeding preference of

Basilepta fulvicornis (Jacoby) adult beetles in the

Cardamom Hill Reserves, Kerala, India

M. Nafeesa*

Cardamom Research Station, Kerala Agricultural University, Pampadumpara, Idukki 685553,

Kerala, India.

Email: nafeesa.m@kau.in

ABSTRACT: Host range and feeding behavior of Basilepta fulvicornis (Jacoby) adult beetles were

studied on different plant species (25 species from 18 genera and 13 families) in the Cardamom Hill

Reserves, Kerala, India. Five new host plants of B. fulvicornis adult beetles, viz., Artocarpus hirsutus

Lam., Ficus auriculata Lour., Anacardium occidentale L., Spondias mangifera Willd., and Terminalia

chebula Retz., are reported for the first time. Non-preference and non-feeding of B. fulvicornis adults on

the larval host, Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton was confirmed. Based on the feeding area, A. hirstus,

F. auriculata, Mangifera indica and Artocarpus heterophyllus are the most preferred host species

followed by Terminalia catappa, A. occidentale, S. mangifera, and T. chebula. Feeding preference and

survival of adult beetles of B. fulvicornis on different tree species are indicated with a probable ecofriendly

pest management solution.

KEY WORDS: New hosts, adult feeding behavior, survival, larval host

---------------------------------

ENTOMON 49(2): 193-202

Article No. ent. 49205

Taxonomic studies on a collection of Chalcididae

(Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) from Chilika Lake,

Odisha, India

Nabasri Basak* and Sheela Saroj

Zoological survey of India, M-Block, New Alipore, Kolkata, 700 053, India.

Email: nabashri.basak@gmail.com; sheelazsi@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: The species diversity of family Chalcididae (Hymenoptera) from the islands of Chilika Lake,

Odisha, India was studied. Eighteen species under seven genera of Chalcididae were identified with the

addition of new distributional records for eight species from Odisha. Distributional data from India and the

host details of all the listed species from Chilika Islands were provided.

KEY WORDS: New distributional records, species diversity, host details

--------------------------------

ENTOMON 49(2): 203-214

Article No. ent. 49206

Comparative analysis of using housefly maggot,

silkworm pupae and earthworm meal-based diets in

rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822)

Manju Rani*, Neeta Raj Sharma* and Pawan Kumar#

School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411,

Punjab, India.

#Govt. College, Faridabad 121002, Haryana, India.

Email: manjutanwarrani@gmail.com; neeta.raj@lpu.co.in; drpawan68kumar@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: A study was conducted in rohu fish, Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822) to assess the potential

of silkworm pupae, housefly maggot, and earthworm meals as a replacement for soybean meal. In this

context, four isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were prepared, viz., control – SM (30% soybean meal

inclusion level), SPM (30% silkworm pupae meal inclusion), HMM (30% housefly maggot meal inclusion

level) and EWM (30% earthworm meal inclusion level). The rohu fingerlings (initial average body weight:

5.07 ± 0.01 g) were fed twice daily with the respective experimental diets to reach satiation levels. Specific

growth rate (SGR), final body weight (FBW), per cent weight gain (WG), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and

feed conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly affected among the experimental groups. SPM and HMM

groups had significantly higher FBW, SGR, WG and PER values than the control - SM and EM groups.

However, there was no significant difference between the control and EWM groups, and between SPM

and HMM groups. FCR values showed a significant reverse trend in respect to WG. Incorporation of SPM

and HMM in rohu diets gave greater growth performance and feed utilisation efficiency than SM and

EWM-based diets.

KEY WORDS: Fish meal, isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets, growth performance

---------------------------------

ENTOMON 49(2): 215-220

Article No. ent. 49207

Rice genotypes and the biochemical basis of resistance

against brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)

Kamal Ravi Sharma1,2*, S.V.S. Raju2, Sameer Kumar Singh1,2, Rashmirekha Singh2

and R.S. Meena2

1Department of Entomology, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Ayodhya

224229, Uttar Pradesh, India.

2Department of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras

Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Email: krsharma.ento@nduat.org

ABSTRACT: Screening of 50 rice genotypes against brown planthopper infestation was conducted in

open field conditions over two consecutive years (Kharif 2018-19 and 2019-20). Based on pest population

per hill, rice genotypes IR82475-110-2-2-1-2, Akshyadhan, and MTU-1010 had the least brown planthoppers.

TN1, Swarna, MTU 7029, Rajendra Kasturi, Baranideep, and Sahbhagidhan had the highest population

and were classified as pest-prone. Rice leaf biochemical characteristics examined in selected genotypes,

revealed that the pest population was significantly and positively correlated with total sugar (r = 0.608),

crude protein (r = 0.306) and total free amino acid (r = 0.358), but significantly negatively correlated with

phenol (r = -0.429), crude silica (r = -0.401), and tannin (r = -0.301). Correlation analysis revealed that

susceptible entries contained more total sugar, crude protein, and total free amino acids, whereas resistant

genotypes contained significantly more phenol, crude silica, and tannins. This study highlighted the

significance of antixenotic properties in rice genotypes against brown planthoppers.

KEY WORDS: Screening, host plant resistance, bio-chemicals, antixenosis

----------------

ENTOMON 49(2): 221-228

Article No. ent. 49208

Detoxifying enzyme profiles in pesticide tolerant strains of

Trichogramma chilonis Ishii, a hymenopteran parasitoid

V. Charles1*, V.A. Vijayan2, S.K. Jalali3 and M. Mahadevaswamy4

1Department of Zoology, Teresian College, Mysuru 570011, Karnataka India.

2Department of Zoology, University of Mysore, Mysuru 570005, Karnataka, India.

3ICAR - National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Insects, Bangaluru, Karnataka, India.

4Department of Zoology, Yuvaraja’s College, University of Mysore, Mysuru, Karnataka, India.

Email: charlesvbrl@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: Investigation on enzyme assays were carried out for carboxyl esterase (á and â esterase)

and glutathione s-transferase in the susceptible and pesticide tolerant Trichogramma chilonis Ishii strains

such as TCT1, TCT4, TCT5 and TCCb tolerant to endosulfan, spinosad, lamda-cyhalothrin and indoxycarb

respectively. The electrophoretic profile of á-esterase enzyme in the susceptible Trichogramma strain

showed 3 alleles in comparison with tolerant Trichogramma strains TcT5, TCT1, TCCb and TCT4 which

depicted 5, 4, 3 and 2 alleles respectively. Similarly, â-esterases profile in the susceptible indicated 4 alleles

compared to TCT5, TCT1, TCCb and TCT4 strains which showed 6, 5, 3 and 3 alleles respectively. The

results of the quantitative analysis showed an increased enzyme activity in the tolerant strains. The

increase in á-esterase activity in the tolerant strains TCT1, TCT4 and TCT5 was 2.07, 1.53 and 1.51 times

more than the susceptible one and the mean difference was statistically significant and â-esterase activity

in the tolerant strains TCT1, TCT4 and TCT5 was 1.41, 1.69 and 1.16 times more than the susceptible one.

In the glutathione s-transferase enzyme activity, the mean value of the susceptible strain was 0.029?M

and in tolerant strains, TCT1, TCT4 and TCT5 the values were 0.0243, 0.0289 and 0.023?M respectively

indicating that the tolerant strains had lesser activity than the susceptible one. Such an increase in enzyme

activity indicated the elevated production of detoxifying enzymes such as carboxylesterase to sustain the

parasitoid in the field.

KEY WORDS: Carboxylesterase, glutathione s-transferase, electrophoretic profile, alleles

--------------------------------

ENTOMON 49(2): 229-234

Article No. ent. 49209

Effect of photoperiod on the DNA, RNA and protein

concentration in the silkgland of tasar silkworm,

Antheraea mylitta (D) (Lepidoptera, Saturniidae)

S.V. Ghonmode

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

Email: sharyu.ghonmode@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: In Antheraea mylitta (D) (Lepidoptera, Saturniidae), the effect of photoperiod on total

DNA, RNA, and protein concentration in the middle silk gland (MSG) and posterior silk gland (PSG) was

studied. The photoperiod caused enhancement in the secretory activity and stimulates the sericogenesis

process in MSG and PSG. The total nucleic acids and protein concentration of MSG and PSG under

24L:00D condition reached maximum level and then it decreased. Maximum nucleic acids and protein

concentration were observed during long-day period and the minimum during short-day period. The

photoperiod activated or inhibited the biological clock which acted upon the respective endocrine glands

accordingly and control the process of sericogenesis. The larvae underwent significant changes with

high DNA, RNA and protein concentration under 24L:00D, which is highly suitable for the silk protein

synthesis.

KEY WORDS: Sericogenesis, middle silk gland, posterior silk gland, biological clock

--------------------------------------

ENTOMON 49(2): 235-242

Article No. ent. 49210

Effect of ethanolic plant extractives on cephalic

neuroendocrine system of BmNPV inoculated 5th instar

larvae of Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera, Bombycidae)

Bhaisare Shailesh Shivdas

Department of Zoology, Loknete Gopinathji Munde Arts, Commerce and Science College, Mandangad

415203, Ratnagiri District, Maharashtra, India.

Email:drssbhaisare81@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: In this research 3000, 5000 and 8000ppm concentration of ethanolic extractives of leaves of

Eupatorium odaratum, Hyptis suaveolens and fruits of Aegle marmelos were tested on mulberry silkworm

fifth instar larvae of PMxCSR2 inoculated with Bombyx mori Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (BmNPV).

Extractives of A. marmelos, H. suaveolens and E. odaratum showed promising results against BmNPV of

silkworm larvae @8000 ppm. Total improvement occurs in the function of neurosecretory cells (NSC), A1

and A2 cells of median neurosecretory cells (MNC) group. Also found that, NCC I and II, corpus cardiacum

(CC) lobes and fine branching of NCA I over corpus allatum (CA) showed strongly stained PF positive

granules of NSM due to the subsequent treatment of given ethanolic plant extractives which reduced

BmNPV infection about (30 - 40%).

KEYWORDS: PMxCSR2, silkworm larvae, Eupatorium odaratum, Hyptis suaveolens, Aegle

marmelos, neurosecretory cells

--------------------------------------

ENTOMON 49(2): 243-246

Short Communication No. ent. 49211

Meiotic chromosome behaviour of a newly recorded ant-like

spider, Myrmarachne melanocephala MacLeay, 1839 from

Manipur, India

Ngangkham Poda Chanu, N. Nandita, L. Sanathoi Singh, M. Bhubaneshwari Devi,

A. Kananbala and Dhananjoy Singh Chingangbam#*

Laboratory of Entomology, P.G. Department of Zoology D.M. College of Science, Imphal West, 795001,

Manipur, India.

#District Epidemiologist, O/o CMO, Ukhrul 795124, Manipur, India.

Email: dhananjoych@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: Cytological and chromosomal studies of ant-like spiders Myrmarachne melanocephala

MacLeay, 1839, were undertaken with 12 males captured alive in the months of January to July 2023 from

three habitats. The haploid count of male specimens was observed to be 13: 4 acrocentric (including X

chromosome), 6 subtelocentric, 2 submetacentric, and 1 metacentric and showed X0 sex determination

mechanisms, so the diploid count of the species was 25 (13+12). The single sex chromosome occupied

roughly 4-6 per cent of the nuclear volume prominently in the Interphase – Prophase I stage. The structure

of X chromosome in interphase stage was circular-rectangular block. The peculiar shape of rod-shaped X

chromosome was maintained from early pre-leptotene stage till the end of the division particularly the

Prophase I. The synapsis started early from late leptotene and duration of zygotene was long enough to

visualize the perfect ones in late zygotene. There were nine diplotene bivalents with interstitial chiasma.

KEYWORDS: Araneae, Salticidae, haploid, prophase, diplotene chiasma, sex chromosomes

----------------------------------

ENTOMON 49(2): 247-250

Short Communication No. ent. 49212

Correlation of weather parameters on the seasonal incidence

of Helicoverpa armigera infesting Cicer arietinum

P.N. Purabiya, P.B. Patel and M.K. Jena1*

Department of Entomology, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari 396450, Gujarat, India.

1Section of Applied Entomology, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Horticulture Sciences,

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

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

ABSTRACT: Investigation taken up on the seasonal occurrence of Helicoverpa armigera, on Cicer

arietinum L., revealed the presence of H. armigera from the 51st to 12th Standard Meteorological Week

(SMW). Number of larvae found per plant ranged from 0.14 to 4.28. The larval population began to appear

during the 51st SMW, with a mean of 0.66 larvae per plant and steadily increased until reaching its peak

during the 6th SMW with a mean of 4.28 larvae per plant. Subsequently, the population declined, reaching

a mean of 0.14 larvae per plant by the 12th SMW. The larval population of H. armigera displayed a highly

significant negative correlation with both the maximum (r = -0.670**) and the minimum temperature (r = -

0.665**).

KEY WORDS: Gram, pod borer, seasonal incidence, weather parameters

------------------------------

ENTOMON 49(2): 251-256

Short Communication No. ent. 49213

Evaluation of plant oils against angoumois grain moth,

Sitotroga cerealella Olivier infesting stored rice

K. Zote Vaishali, Abhishek Shukla* and C.U. Shinde

Department of Entomology, N.M. College of Agriculture

Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari 396450, Gujarat, India

Email: abhishekshukla@nau.in

ABSTRACT: Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella Olivier is one of the important insect pests

during storages of ricee. Evaluation plant oils against the pest showed that all oils cause mortality over

control. Among them neem oil @5ml/kg was found effective followed by pongamia oil as it causes

mortality of S. cerealella, less weight loss and adult emergence.

KEY WORDS: Neem oil, pongamia oil, storage, mortality, weight loss, adult emergence

----------------------------------------

ENTOMON 49(2): 257-260

Short Communication No. ent. 49214

First record of Canthesancus gulo Stal, 1863 (Reduviidae,

Stenopodainae) from Maharashtra, India

S. V. More1*, V. S. Gadekar2 and K. N. Nikam3

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

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

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

Email: sadamore6046@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: The brownish castaneous spot assassin bug Canthesancus gulo Stal, 1863 is reported

from Maharashtra for the first time, as the first species of this genus in the Maharashtra state. The

diagnostic characters, colour images, and current geographical distribution of species are given.

KEY WORDS: Assassin bug, castaneous spot, distribution, diagnostic characters

-------------------------------

ENTOMON 49(2): 261-264

Short Communication No. ent. 49215

First report of isolation of opportunistic human pathogenic

gut bacteria Staphylococcus cohnii from grubs of Brahmina

coriacea (Hope) (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Melolonthinae)

from Himachal Pradesh, India

Suresh Kumar Mahala*, R.S. Chandel, Abhishek Walia#, K.S. Verma and Karthik

Ramappa

Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University,

Palampur, 176062, HP, India.

#Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Sciences, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University,

Palampur, 176062, HP, India.

Email: sk1720539@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: Staphylococcus cohnii (Schleifer and Kloos) an opportunistic pathogen for humans, is

reported for the first time its presence in grubs of Brahmina coriacea (Hope) (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae,

Melolonthinae). The cellulolytic gut bacteria were isolated from different populations of B. coriacea,

collected from different parts of Himachal Pradesh, India. The isolated S. cohnii from the grub population

of Shillaroo location recorded maximum cellulolytic index. The isolated bacteria were identified using

morphological, biochemical, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing approaches.

KEY WORDS: Cellulolytic, pathogen, 16S rRNA

-------------------------------------

ENTOMON 49(2): 265-268

Short Communication No. ent. 49216

Predominance of Aedes albopictus in the breeding habitats of

Siliguri Sub-division of Darjeeling District, West Bengal,

India

Ratnadeep Sarkar, Abhirup Saha, Subhajit Das, Prapti Das, Debayan Raha and

Dhiraj Saha*

Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of North

Bengal, Raja Rammohanpur, NBU 734013, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India.

Email: dhirajsaha@nbu.ac.in

ABSTRACT: To determine the predominant dengue mosquito vector from the Siliguri sub-division of

Darjeeling district, a field survey conducted and results showed that Ae. albopictus (804 out of 886) was

relatively more abundant than Ae. aegypti (2 out of 886) in natural and artificial containers. The results

from the installed ovitraps also indicated Ae. albopictus (1434 out of 1490) as dominant species in the

artificial containers than primary vector Ae. aegypti (2 out of 1490) in the shared breeding habitats. Larval

density of Ae. albopictus was remarkably higher than that of Ae. aegypti in both the natural-artificial

containers and ovitraps.

KEY WORDS: Dengue vectors, natural and artificial habitats, ovitraps, abundance, larval density

--------------------------------------

ENTOMON 49(2): 269-272

Short Communication No. ent. 49217

First report of the Genus Mesembrius Rondani, 1857

(Diptera, Syrphidae) from Kerala

C. Athul Sankar, C. Bijoy* and E. M. Shaji#

Shadpada Entomology Research Lab, Department of Zoology, Christ College (Autonomous),

Irinjalakuda 680125, Affiliated with University of Calicut, Kerala, India

#Department of Zoology, K.K.T.M Govt. College, Pullut, Thrissur 680663, Affiliated with University of

Calicut. Kerala, India

Email: bijoyc@christcollegeijk.edu.in

ABSTRACT: Two hover-flies of the Genus Mesembrius Rondai, 1857; M. bengalensis (Wiedemann,

1819), and M. quadrivittatus (Wiedemann, 1819) are reported for the first time from Kerala along with their

diagnosis and key.

KEY WORDS: Hover-flies, diagnosis, distribution, key

---------------------------------

ENTOMON 49(2): 273-276

Short Communication No. ent. 49218

A new record of Rhoenanthus (Potamanthindus) sapa

Nguyen and Bae, 2004 (Ephemeroptera, Potamanthidae)

from India

M. Vasanth1, C. Selvakumar2, T. Kubendran3* and K. A. Subramanian1

1Zoological Survey of India, Southern Regional Centre, Santhome High Road, Chennai 600 028,

Tamil Nadu, India.

2Department of Zoology, The Madura College (Autonomous), Madurai 625 011, Tamil Nadu, India.

3Miscellaneous Insect Order Section, Zoological Survey of India, Prani Vigyan Bhawan, M-Block,

New Alipore, Kolkata 700 053, West Bengal, India.

Email: vasan071994@gmail.com; selvaaa06@gmail.com; tkbaetis@gmail.com;

subbuka.zsi@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: As part of ongoing exploration of the mayflies in the hill streams of northeast India,

Rhoenanthus (Potamanthindus) sapa Nguyen and Bae 2004 was reported as a new record based on

larval collections from Meghalaya, India.

KEY WORDS: Burrowing mayfly, hill streams, larva, Meghalaya

--------------------------------

ENTOMON 49(2): 277-282

Short Communication No. ent. 49219

Biology and morphometrics of Bradysia tritici (Coq.)

(Diptera, Sciaridae) on milky mushroom in Navasari,

Gujarat, India

Likhitha B. and Abhishek Shukla*

Department of Entomology, N.M. College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari

396450, Gujarat, India

Email: abhishekshukla@nau.in

ABSTRACT: Biology and morphometrics of Bradysia tritici (Coq.), a major pest of milky mushroom

(Calocybe indica P&C), were studied. Adult longevity of male and female was 4.75±1.64 and 6.10±0.91

days, respectively. The female laid an average of 40.45±5.21 eggs in her life period. The eggs were singly

laid in clusters of 2 to 3 and hatched in 2.50±0.51days and the viability of eggs were 83.26±5.88 per cent.

The larval stage completed in 11.10±1.07 days. The pre-pupal, pupal stages and total life cycle of male and

female lasted for 1.60, 2.70.47.0 and 20.15 and 21.50 days, respectively.

KEY WORDS: Sciarid fly, pest, insect, milky mushroom, life stages, life cycle, fecundity

----------------------------------

ENTOMON 49(2): 283-286

Short Communication No. ent. 49220

First report of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel)

(Diptera, Tephritidae) on the white - fleshed dragon fruit

Selenicereus undatus (Haworth) D.R. Hunt (Cactaceae)

in India

P. Akheela, T. Santhoshkumar and Thania Sara Varghese*

Department of Agricultural Entomology, Kerala Agricultural University,

Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram 695522, Kerala, India.

Email: thania.sv@kau.in

ABSTRACT: The oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) has been reported on the white fleshed

dragon fruit Selenicereus undatus (Haworth) D.R.Hunt for the first time in India. Symptoms of infestation

and the duration of all life stages were observed. Females laid eggs just beneath the mature fruit skin. The

tissue surrounding the egg mass turned light yellow. Oviposition punctures were visible on the fruit rind

and the feeding of the maggots led to decay of internal contents, foul smell and the fruit turned in to a

discolored semi liquid mass. Full grown maggots exited the fruit and entered a period of inactivity before

pupation in moist soil. The egg, maggot and pupal stages lasted for 1.6± 0.40, 8.0 ± 0.40 and 8.0 ± 0.31 days,

respectively under laboratory conditions. Adult longevity was 9.6 ± 0.5 days in the case of females and 6.4

± 0.50 days for males.

KEY WORDS: Pest, symptoms, development, life history, longevity

----------------------------------

ENTOMON 49(2): 287-290

Short Communication No. ent. 49221

Occurrence of Antonina pretiosa (Ferris)

(Homoptera, Pseudococcidae) on the inflorescence of

Bambusa bambos (L.) Voss in Assam, India

Selim Mehmud1, Sasanka Sekhar Ghosh2, Twinkle Chetia3, Dip Jyoti Haloi4*,

Himu Roy3, Pranab Bujarbarua5

1Department of Botany, University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, Techno City, Kling Road,

Baridua, Ri-Bhoi 793101, Meghalaya, India.

2Department of Zoology, Cotton University, Panbazar, Guwahati 781001, Assam, India.

3Department of Botany, Cotton University, Panbazar, Guwahati 781001, Assam, India.

4Department of Zoology, Handique Girls’ College, Panbazar, Guwahati 781001, Assam, India.

5Department of Botany, Handique Girls’ College, Panfazar, Guwahati 781001, Assam, India.

Email: diphaloi1979@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: Antonina pretiosa (Ferris) was reported for the first-time on the inflorescence of Bambusa

bambos (L.) Voss during its sporadic flowering in Kamrup Rural district of the state of Assam. Egg cases,

nymphs and adults of A. pretiosa were found in the inflorescence. They were attended by the black ants

Technomyrmex albipes.

KEYWORDS: Bamboo, mealy bugs, life stages, ants

---------------------------------

ENTOMON 49(2): 291-292

Obituary ent. 49222

Dr. A. Visalakshi

A PIONEERING PESTICIDE RESIDUE ANALYST & ENTOMOLOGIST PASSES AWAY

S. Naseema Beevi and Thomas Biju Mathew

(Students of Dr A. Visalakshi), Former Professors & Head, Pesticide Residue Research &

Analytical Laboratory (PRRAL), College of Agriculture, Vellayani

E-mail: snb_kau@yahoo.co.in; biju.mathew@retd.kau.in

Forthcoming

Information