Debjani Dey

Residue and bio-efficacy evaluation of controlled release formulations of imidacloprid against pests in soybean (Glycine max)

Controlled release (CR) formulations of imidacloprid (1-(6 chloro-3-pyridinyl methyl)-N- nitro imidazolidin-2- ylideneamine) were prepared using novel amphiphilic polymers synthesized from polyethylene glycol and aliphatic diacids employing encapsulation technique. The bioefficacy of the prepared CR formulations was evaluated against major pests of soybean, namely stem fly, Melanagromyza sojae Zehntmer and white fly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius along with a commercial formulation at the experimental farm of Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi during kharif 2009 and 2010. Most of the CR formulations of imidacloprid gave significantly better control of the pests compare to its commercial formulations, however the CR formulations, Poly [poly (oxyethylene-1000)-oxy suberoyl] amphiphilic polymer based formulation performed better over others for controlling of both stem fly incidence and Yellow Mosaic Virus (YMV) infestation transmitted by white fly. Some of the developed CR formulations recorded higher yield over commercial formulation and control. Nodulation pattern of soybean was not affected due to treatment of CR and commercial formulations of imidacloprid. Also the residues of imidacloprid in seed and soil at harvest were not detectable for both CR and commercial formulations.

Redescription of the fig wasp genus Sycophilodes Joseph (Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae: Epichrysomallinae) with description of a new species from India

Sycophilodes Joseph is a non-pollinating fig wasp genus so far reported only from Ficus benghalensis L. The genus Sycophilodes is revised with redescription of the male and the first description of the female of its only currently included species, S. moniliformis. A second species, Sycophilodes uluberiaensis Pramanik & Dey sp. nov. is described. Available keys are modified and supplemented to facilitate identification of Sycophilodes and a key for distinguishing both sexes of the two included species is presented. All type specimens are deposited in the National Pusa Collection, IARI, New Delhi.

An annotated checklist of the fig wasps (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) of India

Abstract A checklist of 115 fig wasp species (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) recorded within the present political boundary of India till 2015 is provided along with a fig–fig wasp host catalogue. Fig wasp taxa have been arranged according to the current classification among 4 families, 6 subfamilies and 33 genera. For each species, correct nomenclature followed by all relevant works reporting systematics and ecology of Indian fig wasps have been provided along with synonyms, host records and distribution within India. Seventy six new distribution records were established for different fig wasps within India along with first report of Ormyrus benjaminae Narendran, 1999 from India. Two new synonyms are proposed, viz., Parapilkhanivora nigra Farooqi & Menon, 1973 syn. nov. for Parasycobia kaurae Abdurahiman & Joseph, 1967 and Parapilkhanivora testacea Farooqi & Menon, 1973 syn. nov. for Sycobiomorphella lacorensis Abdurahiman & Joseph, 1967.

Diversity of Natural Enemies of Aphids Belonging to Aphidiinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in India

Abstract An inventory of the biodiversity of aphidiine parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) associated with aphids in India showed 123 species under 23 genera to be intensively and extensively exercising natural control. The inventory has been reinforced with all associated details, mainly zoogeographical distribution, parasitism potential attributes and other such relative details from primary sources so as to make it serve as an important startup tool for planning any IPM strategy, involving biocontrol of aphids.

Distribution frequency of endosymbionts and genetic characterisation of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on Fabaceous host plants in India

Abstract A study was carried out to determine the genetic diversity and distribution of known endosymbionts in the populations of Bemisia tabaci from three host plants (soya bean, mungbean and subabool). The presence of five endosymbiont (Portiera, Rickettsia, Wolbachia, Cardinium and Arsenophonus) were checked in B. tabaci populations. Phylogenetic analyses based on the mitochondrial cytochrome I gene showed the presence of Asia II-1 and Asia II-7 genetic groups for B. tabaci. Individual were perused for symbiotic bacterial infection using specific primers targeting 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA gene. Portiera was present in all the B. tabaci samples. However, differences were observed in the circulation frequencies of secondary endosymbionts among the B. tabaci populations. A noteworthy difference was observed in the distribution frequency of Cardinium in between soyabean and subabool along with mungbean and subabool with the p-values as 0.037 and 0.001, respectively. The irregular presence of secondary endosymbionts supports the supposition that each endosymbiotic bacterium not only has a role in the survival but may also have a role in the polyphagous nature of B. tabaci. It also delivers an elementary evidence for progressive studies by targeting the endosymbionts for control measures of this notorious insect pest.

First record of genus Eucryptorrhynchus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Cryptorhynchinae) from India along with description of a new species

Abstract The genus Eucryptorrhynchus Heller is reported for the first time from India with description of a new species E. khasiensis sp. nov. A checklist along with a key for identification of all the species under this genus is also provided. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B72803C0-1211-41CE-86AC-1B2AC8F9C018

Thrips as the Vectors of Tospoviruses in Indian Agriculture

Thrips being important sucking pests transmit the deadly tospoviruses in comercial crops in a persistent and propagative manner. Sixteen thrips species are known to transmit 29 tospoviruses worldwide. In India, only six thrips species are so far known to transmit six tospoviruses. The first study in India on thrips is dated in 1856. The research on tospoviruses was initiated in India during 1960s, however, the first study on thrips-tospovirus was published in 1981. Not many studies have been undertaken on the thrips-tospovirus in India. Several reviews have been published on the thrips-tospovirus research, where the Indian works have hardly been reflected. In this chapter, we summarise the studies on thrips-tospovirus undertaken in India.

Diagnostics of a lesser known halictine bee Pseudapis oxybeloides Smith (Halictidae: nomiinae) from India

A lesser known halictine bee, Pseudapis oxybeloides (Apoidea: Halictidae: nomiinae) is being redescribed with updated taxonomic characters viz., pilosity, sculptures, morphometric ratios, illustrations and photographs of key diagnostic features. A new distribution as well as a new floral record is being established for this bee. A checklist of the Indian species has also been provided.