Forthcoming
ENTOMON 50(1): 1-6
Article No. ent. 50101
A new species of the genus Herpetogramma Lederer (Lepidoptera, Crambidae) from India
- M. Shankara Murthy*, S.K. Nagaraj1, A. Prabhuraj1 and P. Maheswara Reddy2
Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Bheemarayanagudi 585287, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur 584 104, Karnataka, India
1 Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur 584104, Karnataka, India
2 Department of Entomology, School of Agriculture, Mohan Babu University, Tirupati 517102, Andhra Pradesh, India
Email: smurthyent@gmail.com
ABSTRACT: Herpetogramma viraktamathi sp. nov. of the subfamily Spilomelinae is described and illustrated in detail. Beside this, the host plant and nature of damage caused by the new species is provided. © 2025 Association for Advancement of Entomology
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ENTOMON 50(1): 7-12
Article No. ent. 50102
Compatibility of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin, an entomopathogenic fungi, with selective insecticides for enhanced pest management
Cincy Thomas*, Joseph Tom and C. A. Jayaprakas
Biopesticide laboratory, Division of Crop Protection, ICAR- Central Tuber Crops Research Institute,
Thiruvananthapuram 695017, Kerala, India.
Email: cincythomas.2439@gmail.com
ABSTRACT: Six insecticides, viz. Imidacloprid 17.8 SL, Chlorpyrifos 20 EC, Quinalphos 25 EC, Dimethoate 30 EC, Dichlorvos 76 EC and Fenvalerate 20 EC, at three concentrations [recommended dose - RD, and 0.5 per cent each below RD (BRD) and above RD (ARD)] were used to treat on the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin. Impact on the conidial germination, vegetative growth, and spore production was studied by grading as harmless (<50%), slightly harmful (50-79%), moderately harmful (80-90%), and harmful (>90%). Among all these treatments, imidacloprid and fenvalerate were rated as harmless to B. bassiana, whereas chlorpyrifos, was slightly harmful in all three concentrations. In the case of treatment with dimethoate, the toxicity was slightly high in the RD and BRD but moderate at ARD. Quinalphos was moderately toxic in all three concentrations; however, dichlorvos was highly toxic, and there was no mycelial growth in all the three concentrations. Imidacloprid and fenvalerate are found highly compatable with B. bassiana. © 2025 Association for Advancement of Entomology
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ENTOMON 50(1): 13-18
Article No. ent. 50103
Molecular characterization of Ceylonitermellus sahyadriensis Emerson, 1960 (Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae) - a rare species from Kerala part of Western Ghats, India
Edwin Joseph, Jobin Mathew*, C.P. Rayeefa Fathima, J. Kalyani, Jeeva Elizabeth Vince, Bristo Joby Mathews and T. Avyaya Babu
PG and Research Department of Zoology, CMS College, Kottayam 686001, Kerala, India
Email: jobin@cmscollege.ac.in
ABSTRACT: Molecular characterization of Ceylonitermellus sahyadriensis (Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae), using the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene was studied, along with its morphological characteristics. The combined molecular analysis with its morphological figures provided a comprehensive species description, the first genetic profile of this species and giving a baseline data for the genus Ceylonitermellus. The phylogenetic analysis validated the species’ taxonomic position and revealed its evolutionary relationships within Nasutitermitinae. This integrated approach is particularly significant given the genus’s rarity and limited distribution, contributing to our understanding of termite diversity in the Oriental region. The molecular data generated will serve as a crucial reference for future systematic studies and species identification of this endemic genus. © 2025 Association for Advancement of Entomology
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ENTOMON 50(1): 19-24
Article No. ent. 50104
Age-relatedcombdimensionsofthe reddwarfhoneybee, Apis florea F. (Hymenoptera, Apidae) in the plains of Karnataka, India.
S.K. Ramyarani1* and N. Nagaraja2
1Department of Zoology, Bangalore University, Jnana Bharathi, Bengaluru 560056, India.
2Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre, Bangalore University, Jnana Bharathi, Bengaluru
560056, India.
Email: ramyarani@bub.ernet.in
ABSTRACT: Studies were conducted to determine the variations in the dimensions of comb parameters of the dwarf honeybee, Apis florea F. in relation to comb age. The comb parameters viz. comb perimeter, mean area of comb, brood, pollen, honey, crest size, and comb thickness, were varied with comb age and were found to be relatively high in middle-aged combs compared to old and young combs. Furthermore, the observations showed that the width and depth of the comb cells also differed significantly with comb age and maximum size of cell width and depth were found in middle-aged combs. © 2025 Association forAdvancement of Entomology
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ENTOMON 50(1): 25-32
Article No. ent. 50105
Diversity and foraging activity of pollinators of Foeniculum vulgare Miller in Bikaner, India
J.G. Adlin Prajula1*, Syed Mohammad Ibrahim2 and A.B. Sruthi3*
1Department of Entomology, Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner 334006, Rajasthan, India.
2Department of Entomology, C P College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar 385506, Palanpur, Gujarat, India.
3Department of Entomology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai 625104, Tamil Nadu, India.
Email: adlinprajula@gmail.com; sruthientomon@gmail.com
ABSTRACT: Fennel, a popular winter rabi spice, relies heavily on pollinators for its reproduction. Periodical surveys conducted in fennel fields at weekly intervals, revealed 31 species of flower visitors/pollinators which included 31 insect species from 17 families and 6 orders with Dipterans and Hymenopterans being the most dominant visitors. Hymenoptera (58.21%) was the most common insect order to visit the fennel flowers in terms of percent abundance. Apis florea (19.86%), Lucilia sericata (17.73%) and Polistes olivaceus (17.73%) were identified as the most frequent pollinators. The highest foraging activity was observed at 11:00 a.m (15.09 bees/10 plants/ 5 minutes). The foraging behaviour of these pollinators varied significantly with Apis florea spending the maximum time per flower (75 sec). A. florea (21.24) and L. sericata (23.41) had the highest foraging rates. The study revealed that the foraging activity of these pollinators was significantly correlated with weather parameters. A. florea exhibited a substantial negative correlation with relative humidity (r=-0.7224) and a significant positive correlation with both maximum and minimum temperatures (r=0.8100 and 0.7523, respectively). A. florea and L. sericata were found to be more sensitive to temperature change, resulting in more dramatic changes in foraging behaviour with warming. © 2025 Association for Advancement of Entomology
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ENTOMON 50(1): 33-38
Article No. ent. 50106
Bio-efficacy of botanical soap formulations fortified with essential oils against Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Fab.) (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) and evaluation of its shelf life
S.R. Neeraja, R. Narayana* and M.S. Nisha
Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayani 695522, Kerala, India
Email: narayana.r@kau.in
ABSTRACT: Experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of botanical soap formulations against epilachna beetle, Epilachna vigintioctopunctata (Fab.) (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae), and their repellent effect and the shelf life. In the first experiment, neem oil+ citronella oil soap @2 per cent recorded the highest per cent mortality and was on par with treatments, pongamia+ basil oil soap @ 2 per cent, neem oil+ basil oil soap @ 2 per cent, and pongamia+ citronella oil soap @ 2 per cent after 24 hours after treatment. In the second experiment, neem oil+ citronella oil soap @ 2 per cent recorded maximum repellence (80%) and was on par with pongamia oil+ citronella soap @ 2 per cent (73.33%) and neem oil+ citronella soap @ 1 per cent (65%) after 30 minutes after treatment. In the third experiment, neem oil + citronella oil @ 2 per cent exhibited the highest mortality rates under both refrigerated and room conditions and statistically superior to all other treatments. The lowest per cent mortality was recorded for the control. The soap formulations stored under refrigerated conditions (for a period of three months), showed higher insecticidal efficacy than those stored at room conditions, revealing the effectiveness remained for three months. © 2025 Association for Advancement of Entomology
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ENTOMON 50(1): 39-46
Article No. ent. 50107
Descriptions of polar gynandromorphic specimens of Culicoides oxystoma Kieffer and Obsoletus group (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) from West Bengal, India
Ankita Sarkar, Paramita Banerjee and Abhijit Mazumdar*
Entomology Research Unit, Department of Zoology, The University of Burdwan, West Bengal, India.
Email: abhijitbu02@gmail.com
ABSTRACT: Five rare polar gynandromorphic specimens of Culicoides (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae), four of Culicoides oxystoma Kieffer, and one specimen of Obsoletus group were studied. These individuals were collected during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons by using UV LED light traps from cattle shed and poultry farm located in Purulia, West Bengal, India. The gynandromorphic individuals of C. oxystoma revealed a typical one with male genitalia with a slender abdomen. It had the head, antenna, mouthparts, and the associated accessory structures together with the wings were similar to that of a female. On the other hand, three specimens had female genitalia and head, antenna, mouthparts like male. Very interestingly, the gynander specimen of Obsoletus group possesses antennal flagellomeres, mouthparts, and wings of females but enlarged pedicel-like male and the presence of basistyle, dististyle but devoid of aedeagus and parameres. © 2025 Association for Advancement of Entomology
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ENTOMON 50(1): 47-60
Article No. ent. 50108
Odonata diversity of mid-elevation catchments of the Bavali river from Coorg landscape of central Western Ghats, peninsular India
Vibhu Vijayakumaran1, Kalesh Sadasivan2,4 and Vinayan Padmanabhan Nair3,4*
1Vipanchika, Kanichar 670674, Kannur, Kerala, India.
2Greeshmam, BN439, Bapuji Nagar, Medical College 695011, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
3PG and Research Department of Zoology, Alphonsa College, Arunapuram 686574, Pala, Kottayam, Kerala, India.
4TORG (TNHS Odonate Research Group), Travancore Nature History Society (TNHS), Vanchiyoor,
Thiruvananthapuram 695035, Kerala, India.
Email: drvibhunair@gmail.com; kaleshs2002in@gmail.com; vinayanpnair@gmail.com
ABSTRACT: The odonate diversity and distribution of the mid-elevation catchment area of Bavali River in the Coorg landscape of central Western Ghats is discussed. A total of 114 species of odonates including 32 Western Ghat endemic species were recorded from the study areas of Kanichar Gramapanchayath (KGP) which include 69 dragonflies (Anisoptera) and 45 damselflies (Zygoptera). Family Libellulidae dominated the odonate diversity with 39 species followed by Coenagrionidae (18 species) and Gomphidae (15 species). Cyclogomphus flavoannulatus Rangnekar et al., 2019 reported in this study is the first report from Coorg landscape of central Western Ghats. The study area harbours 52.53 per cent of the Western Ghats (WG) and 60.64 per cent of the odonate diversity of Kerala. Additionally, it includes 36.78 per cent of WG and 42.67 per cent of endemic odonates of Kerala. About 28.07 per cent of the odonates recorded from the area are endemic to WG. Among the 114 species identified from the area, as per the IUCN Red List of Threatened species, there were 87 ‘least concern’ species, 18 species were ‘data deficient’, four species belong to ‘near threatened’ category, three species belong to ‘not assessed’ category and two species belong to ‘vulnerable’ category. None of the species listed in the study area is protected under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022. This area lying outside any designated Protected Area harbours the largest number of odonate species in any region of Kerala known so far and shows high diversity and endemism comparable to that of other protected areas. © 2025 Association for Advancement of Entomology
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ENTOMON 50(1): 61-66
Article No. ent. 50109
Pollination potential of stingless bee Tetragonula iridipennis Smith. (Hymenoptera, Apidae) in Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duchex Poir)
K.S. Kedswin*, M.R. Srinivasan, Sake Manideep and Talapala Sai Kumar
Department of Agricultural Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641003, Tamil Nadu, India.
Email: kedswin309@gmail.com
ABSTRACT: An experiment was conducted to investigate the pollination potential and effectiveness of the stingless bee (Tetragonula iridipennis Smith.) on pumpkin. The abundance and diversity of foragers in male and female pumpkin flowers were assessed by measuring the number of foragers per flower per minute. The pumpkin fruit set and yield were evaluated under three different conditions: open pollination, bee pollination, and pollination exclusion. The foraging rate of bees was higher in male pumpkin flowers (0.22 bees/flower/min) than in female flowers (0.14 bees/flower/min) on the 45th day of flowering. Foraging time was longer on male flowers (40.66 seconds) than on female flowers (35.33 seconds). In terms of yield, the bee-pollinated pumpkin field achieved an average of 3.15 fruits per plant, compared to 3.12 fruits in open-pollinated plots. The bee-pollinated field also produced heavier fruits, with an average fruit weight of 3.45kg (4.12% increase over open pollination). The total yield in the bee-pollinated plot was 36.1 t ha-1, compared to 34.6 tons in the open-pollination plot. Colony monitoring showed a 1.93 per cent weight gain, from 897 to 924g. Foraging activity at the hive entrance was maximum during the morning hours (07 00–09 00), with on average 10.58 outgoing bees and 8.19 bees at peak nectar forager activity. In contrast, the pollination exclusion condition failed to produce any fruit, emphasizing the positive impact of T. iridipennis on pumpkin pollination and yield, particularly during peak flowering periods. © 2025 Association for Advancement of Entomology
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ENTOMON 50(1): 67-72
Article No. ent. 50110
Effective sanitation practices mitigate coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari, 1867) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) infestation in robusta coffee
Wilyus1*, Wilma Yunita1, Fadila Amelia Futri1 and Ravindra C. Joshi2,3*
1Agriculture Faculty, Universitas Jambi. Jl. Jambi - Muara Bulian No.KM. 15, Mendalo Darat, Kec. Jambi Luar Kota, Kabupaten Muaro Jambi, Jambi, Indonesia.
2Philippine Rice Research Institute, Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija 3119, Philippines.
3Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International – Malaysia, Building A19, 43400 MARDI Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Email: wilyus@unja.ac.id; rcjoshi4@gmail.com
ABSTRACT: The coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari, 1867), is a major pest responsible for substantial economic losses in global coffee production. This study investigated the impact of field management, particularly sanitation practices, on controlling H. hampei infestations in robusta coffee (Coffea canephora). Field observations were conducted in both maintained and non-maintained plantations to assess pest populations at different fruit development stages. Results showed that well-maintained fields had significantly lower pest populations across all developmental stages compared to non-maintained fields. Statistical analysis confirmed the effectiveness of sanitation measures in disrupting the pest’s life cycle. Mature cherries were found to be highly susceptible to infestation, emphasizing the importance of timely field management. Additionally, healthy coffee plants in managed fields showed greater resilience to pest attacks. The research underscores the vital role of consistent field management in mitigating pest damage and enhancing the sustainability of coffee production systems. © 2025 Association for Advancement of Entomology
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ENTOMON 50(1): 73-84
Article No. ent. 50111
A new species of Euphaea Selys, 1840 (Odonata, Euphaeidae) from Wayanad, Western Ghats, Kerala, India
S.S. Anooj1*, C. Susanth2, Kalesh Sadasivan3,7, Shriram Dinkar Bhakare4, Dattaprasad Sawant5 and Vinayan Padmanabhan Nair6,7
1Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram 695522, Kerala, India.
2Prakrithi, SNRA-20, Indira Nagar, Peroorkada, Thiruvananthapuram 695005, Kerala, India.
3Greeshmam, BN439, Bapuji Nagar, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram 695011, Kerala, India.
4354, Somwar Peth, Near New English School, Satara 415002, Maharashtra, India.
5Grass Jewel Solutions and Shakambharee Clinic, Devgad, Sindhudurg 416613, Maharashtra, India.
6PG and Research Department of Zoology, Alphonsa College, Arunapuram, Pala 686574, Kottayam, Kerala, India.
7TORG (TNHS Odonate Research Group), Travancore Nature History Society, MBRRA, Mathrubhumi Road, Vanchiyoor, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
Email: anooj.ss@kau.in; c.susanth@gmail.com; kaleshs2002in@gmail.com; milind1plus@gmail.com; dattaprasad.101@gmail.com; vinayanpnair@gmail.com
ABSTRACT: A new species of Euphaea Selys, 1840 (Odonata, Euphaeidae) is described from the Wayanad landscape of Western Ghats of Kerala State based on integrated taxonomy. Euphaea wayanadensis sp.nov. is differentiated morphologically from the closely similar E. pseudodispar Sadasivan & Bhakare, 2021, based on the longer black hind wing patch; broader humeral and antehumeral stripes of males, which are never interrupted and not significantly tapering towards the alar sinus; humeral stripes not terminating in a distinct spot; S10 distal margin wavy at mid-ventrum and apex of the dorsal keel on S10 stepped in lateral view; and the difference in length ratios of male aedeagus and structure of the male genital vesicle. Molecular analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (mt COI) region showed 12.9 per cent nucleotide divergence between the two species. Phylogenetic analysis with Maximum Likelihood method using MEGA 11 also revealed the distinctiveness of E. wayanadensissp. nov. The habitat, distribution and ecology of the new species are discussed, and a key to Euphaea species of Western Ghats is also provided. © 2025 Association for Advancement of Entomology
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ENTOMON 50(1): 85-88
Short Communication No. ent. 50112
Partial characterization of lipase in male moth of Maruca vitrata (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae)
Sushma A. Jadhav1* and Ramesh M. Gejage2
1Department of Zoology, Y.C. College of Science, Karad 415124, Satara, Maharashtra, India.
2Department of Zoology, Smt. K.R.P. Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Islampur, Walwa,Sangli 415409, Maharashtra, India.
Email: sushmaajadhav88@gmail.com
ABSTRACT: Partial characterization of lipase in male insect moth of Maruca vitrata revealed pH 7.6, temperature 37oC, incubation time 25 minutes, substrate concentration (5%), enzyme concentration (1%) and Km value 0.0993 × 10-2 mM. Maximum lipase activity noted in 4th day insect moth of M. vitrata. The adult longevity of insect moth was found to be 7 days. The physiological significance of lipase in male insect moth of M. vitrata has discussed. © 2025 Association for Advancement of Entomology
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ENTOMON 50(1): 89-92
Short Communication No. ent. 50113
New host and distribution records of Hemiptarsenus orizae Narendran (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) from Kerala, India
Sreejina Sreedharan Kallyadan, Shreevihar Santhosh#* and Mannankadiyan Nasser
Insect Ecology and Ethology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Calicut, Kozhikode 673635, Kerala, India.
#Department of Zoology, Malabar Christian College, Affiliated to University of Calicut, Kozhikode 673001, Kerala, India.
Email: sant@mccclt.ac.in
ABSTRACT: Rice leaf folder, Helcystogramma arotraeum (Meyrick, 1894) a major defoliator in Kerala was found parasitoid by a solitary endoparasitoid, Hemiptarsenus orizae Narendran (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae). New host-parasitoid association with distribution records of H. orizae is reported. © 2025 Association for Advancement of Entomology
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ENTOMON 50(1): 93-96
Short Communication No. ent. 50114
Rediscovery of Trochoideus desjardinsi Guérin–Méneville, 1838 (Coleoptera, Endomychidae, Pleganophorinae) with a new record from Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Drashti Danani1*, Harshad Parekar1,2 and Amol Patwardhan1
1Department of Zoology, K.J. Somaiya College of Science and Commerce, Vidyavihar, Mumbai 400077, Maharashtra, India
2Department of Zoology, St. Xavier’s College (Empowered Autonomous Institute), 5Mahapalika Marg, Mumbai 400001, Maharashtra, India
Email: drashti.nd@gmail.com; hparekar07@gmail.com; amolppatwardhan@gmail.com
ABSTRACT: After nearly a century, Trochoideus desjardinsi Guerin-Meneville, 1838 was rediscovered from India. Earlier records from India are by Arrow (1925) from Kerala and Andaman Islands. This species is reported for the first time from Maharashtra. Additionally, a brief redescription of the species is provided with habitus image. © 2025 Association for Advancement of Entomology
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ENTOMON 50(1): 97-102
Short Communication No. ent. 50115
Life cycle and morphometrics of leaf roller, Haritalodes derogata (Fabricius) on cotton in Surat, Gujarat, India
N.S. Dalsaniya, R.D. Patel*, G.R. Bhanderi, H.R. Desai and Malireddi Prasanna
Main Cotton Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, Surat 395007, Gujarat, India.
Email: rdpatel@nau.in
ABSTRACT: The life cycle and morphometrics of cotton leaf roller, Haritalodes derogata (F.) (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) study revealed that the average duration of eggs, larvae, male pupae, female pupae, male adult and female adult moths varied from 3.84 ± 0.99, 15.40 ± 1.63, 7.32 ± 0.69, 7.88 ± 0.97, 9.32 ± 0.75 and 10.40 ± 0.82 days, respectively. Pre-oviposition and post-oviposition periods were 3.36 ± 0.70 and 2.40 ± 0.65 days, respectively and the fecundity was 265.40 ± 42.55 eggs, within oviposition periods of 3.56 ± 0.58 days. The total life span for male and female was 37.40 ± 2.06 and 39.68 ± 2.36 days, respectively. The length and breadth of egg measured 0.54 ± 0.03 and 0.47 ± 0.02mm, of full-grown larvae was 27.78 ± 1.18mm and of male and female pupae were 11.95 ± 0.78 and 4.19 ± 0.14 and 13.34 ± 0.49mm and 4.38 ± 0.11 mm, respectively. The length and breadth with wings expanded of male was 11.48 ± 0.70 and 22.27 ± 0.67mm, while that of female moth was 13.79 ± 0.53 and 28.12 ± 1.42mm, respectively. © 2025 Association for Advancement of Entomology
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ENTOMON 50(1): 103-106
Short Communication No. ent. 50116
Screening of rice cultivars against Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae)
Vaishali Zote and Abhishek Shukla
Department of Entomology, N.M. College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari 396450, Gujrat, India.
Email: abhishekshukla@nau.in
ABSTRACT: A study was conducted to screen twenty-five different rice cultivars against Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) under laboratory conditions during 2020 - 2021 and 2021-2022 at Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari. From the pooled data of two year, it is observed that the cultivar IET-25470 recorded lowest number of adult emergence (72.83 adults) whereas the cultivar GNR -4 recorded highest number of adult emergence (119.33 adults) followed by the cultivar Ratnagiri-4 (110.50 adults). Regarding susceptibility index, the cultivar GNR 4 recorded highest susceptibility index (15.36) whereas cultivar IET- 25470, IET-25453, IET-24336, and IET-28713 recorded the lowest susceptibility index. The damage caused by S. cerealella to the grains of different rice cultivars revealed that the percentage of loss in grain weight was ranging between 4.08 to 8.19 per cent in different paddy cultivars. Further, Ratnagiri5 recorded the lowest weight loss (4.08%) while the maximum weight loss was recorded in GNR 4 (8.19%). © 2025 Association for Advancement of Entomology
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ENTOMON 50(1): 107-112
Short Communication No. ent. 50117
Exploring plant seed extracts as potential sources of trypsin inhibitors for insect pest management: screening and characterization of inhibitory activity
S.K. Sreejina and V.M. Kannan*
Department of Zoology, University of Calicut, Thenhippalam 673635, Malappuram, Kerala, India.
Email: kannanvm@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT: This study aimed to identify seeds containing trypsin inhibitors by screening 17 plant species. Plant seed extracts were prepared by homogenizing soaked seeds in a bicarbonate buffer (pH 9.0), followed by centrifugation. The resulting supernatants, rich in soluble proteins, were subjected to a protease inhibition assay. Among the seventeen seed extracts examined, ten exhibited significant trypsin inhibition, with notable examples including Pterocarpus marsupium (98.20±0.5%), Barleria repens (97.75±0.25%), Ipomoea sepiaria (93.80±0.15%) and Distimake vitifolius (91.79±0.71%) have not been previously reported as sources of trypsin inhibitors. © 2025 Association for Advancement of Entomology
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ENTOMON 50(1): 113-118
Short Communication No. ent. 50118
Strategy on the predation of arboreal weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricius) on a ground nesting ant Camponotus compressus (Fabricius)
Khokan Naskar1, 3, Srimanta Kumar Raut2 and Sangita Maiti Dutta3*
1Department of Zoology, Achhruram Memorial College, Jhalda, Purulia 723202, West Bengal, India
2Ecology and Ethology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, West Bengal, India
3Biodiversity and Environmental Studies Research Centre, Department of Biological Sciences, Midnapore City College, Kuturia 721129, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal,India
Email: smaitiduttazoo@gmail.com
ABSTRACT: The weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricius) occurring in Jhalda, Purulia of West Bengal, India feeds on different kinds of prey animals. These ants attack the ant Camponotous compressus in their natural habitats to feed on them. C. compressus are larger in size in respect to the predator ant O. smaragdina. Therefore, they have developed the art of group attack to capture the prey individual. In this article, described how O. smaragdina targeted and immobilized its prey on way of biting the body parts to ensure stretching the trapped individual prior to carry the same cooperatively to the canopy nest. © 2025 Association for Advancement of Entomology
