Browsing by Author "Abraham, V.A."

Now showing 1 - 20 of 61
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    Attractants-an aid in red palm weevil management
    (2007-02-08) Chandy Kurian; Abraham, V.A.; Ponnamma, K.N.
    The red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus F.)> is an enemy of young coconut palms. It bores into the tissues and ultimately kills the palm. Being a hidden enemy, timely detection is necessary for effecting control. Traps and attractants, by which adults can be trapped and kilted have proved to be effective components of integrated pest management. Log traps consisting of tender coconut stems, 50 cm long and spilt longitudinally were found to be superior to metal traps. The cut surfaces were treated with candidate attractants. Macerated fruits, molasses (jaggery from sugarcane) and toddy, singly or in combination, were die test materials. Along with these, yeast and/or acetic acid was mixed to ascertain whether the same will enhance the attractiveness. Out of sixteen combinations tested in the field, logs treated with coconut toddy+yeast+acetic acid were the best, followed by coconut toddy+ acetic acid, pineapple + molasses+yeast, pineapple + molasses, and molasses + yeast. The use of coconut log traps treated with the above combination is recommended as one of the effective components of integrated pest management.
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    Biological control of insect pests of coconut—A review
    (2007-02-08) Chandy Kurian; Pillai, G.B.; Antony, J.; Abraham, V.A.; Natarajan, P.
    Oryctes rhinoceros L , Nephanlis serinopa M., Rhynchophorus ferrugineus F., and Leucopholis coneophora B. are the major pests of coconut in India. These insects are attacked by a number of parasites, predators, and microorganisms including nematodes. The most important biological control agents for the control of the black beetle are the indigenous predators Sntalus paralletus P.,Agrypnus (near bifoveatus C), and the exotic reduviid bug Platymeris laevicollis G. The pathogens Mctarrhizium anisopliae (M.) S., Rhabdionvirus oryctes and a nematode Neoaplectana carpocapsae D. (DD-136) also show promise. The establishment of the above agents depends very much on the ecological conditions and biotic factors. No biological agent other than Chelisoches mods F. has been reported on red palm weevil in India. The scope of utilizing parasites, predators, and pathogens for the control of the cockchafer is also discussed. The leaf eating slug caterpillars Contheyla rotunda^., Macroplectranararia M.,and Parasa lepidaC. are attacked by bacterial, fungal and insect parasites. Stephanitis typicus D., the suspected vector of the root (wilt) disease of coconut, has a predator in Stethoconus paraefectus D. Mention is made also of parasites obtained on these pests from other countries. A few such examples of Aspidiotus destructor S. (found in India as well), Artona catos-cantha H., Levuana irridiscens B-B, and Promecotheca reichii B. are given. Some of the main problems encountered in their utilization are also pointed out.
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    Biological Control of Pests of Coconut
    (2000) Pillai, G.B.; Antony, J.; Mohan, K.S.; Mariamma Daniel; Devasahayam, S.; Sathiamma, B.; Dangar, T.K.; Ramachandran, C.P.; Abraham, V.A.; Bhat, S.K.; Sreekumar, K.R.; Sukumaran, A.S.; Chandrika Mohan; Murali Gopal; Sosamma, V.K.; Gulsar Banu, J.
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    Biological suppression of coconut pests
    (1999-05) Sathiamma, B.; Chandrika Mohan; Murali Gopal; Abraham, V.A.; Radhakrishnan Nair, C.P.
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    Biology of coconut white grub Leucopholis coneophora Burm.(Melolonthinae: Scarabaeidae: Coleoptera)
    (2007-02-08) Abraham, V.A.; Mohandas, N.
    Biology of the coconut white grub Leucopholis coneophora Burnt, was studied in detail in field cages. Egg period 23 days. The mean larval durations were 260 and 270 days and pupal durations 25.3 and 25.7 days, for males and females, respectively. Sexes of beetles could be differentiated by size of antennal club. Adults emerged from soil at dusk for mating and returned to the soil in 23-25 minutes. Adults did not congregate on plants as done by many melolonthids and were not found feeding on vegetation.
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    Biology of Metanastria hyrtaca Cram., A defoliator of cashew
    (2007) Radhakrishnan Nair, C.P.; Abraham, V.A.; Pillai, G.B.
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    Biology of Udaspes folus Cram.(Lepidoptera: hesperiidae), the leaf roller pest of turmeric and ginger
    (1975) Abraham, V.A.; Pillai, G.B.; Radhakrishnan Nair, C.P.
    Biology of. Udaspes flous Cram. the leaf roller pest of turmeric and ginger was studied under laboratory conditions The average duration from egg to adult was 28 -6 days in ginger and 25 -1 • days in turmeric. Longevity of adults was 4 days in males and 6 -7 days in females. The maximum number of eggs laid was 50, The collateral hosts of the pest are also listed.
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    Chelisoches moris F. (Forficulidae : Dermaptera), a predator on eggs and early instar grubs of the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus F. (Curculionidae : Coleoptera)
    (1973) Abraham, V.A.; Chandy Kurian
    Rhynchophorus ferrugineus F. is a serious pest of the coconut palm. No effective biological control agent of this pest has been reported so far. Chelisoches moris F., a species of earwig, is commonly met with on the crown of coconut palms infested by red weevil. Its life history and feeding habits on the eggs and early instar grubs of red palm weevil were studied. Eggs are laid in clusters. The average incubation period was 6-5 days. There were four nymphal instars and the average total nymphalperiod was 45 • 6 days. The adults lived for 66-8 days and the total life cycle lasted for 69-153 days. On an average one earwig in its life period consumed as many as 662-4 eggs or 633-5 early instar grubs.
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    Chelisoches Moris F. (Forficulidae: Dermaptera), A Predator on Eggs and Early Instar Grubs of the Red Palm Weevil Rhynchophorus Ferrugineus F. (Curculionidae: Coleoptera)
    (1973) Abraham, V.A.; Chandy Kurian
    Rhynchophorus ferrugineus F, is a serious pest of the coconut palm. No effective biological control agent of this pest has been reported so far. Chelisoches moris F, a species of earwig, is commonly met with on the crown of coconut palms infested by red weevil. Its life history and feeding habits on the eggs and early instar grubs of red palm weevil were studied. Eggs are laid in clusters, The average incubation period was 6· 5 days. There were four nymphal instars and the average total nymphal period was 45. 6 days. The adults lived for 66.8 days and the total life cycle lasted for 69-153 days. On an average one·earwig in its life period consumed as many as 662.4 eggs or 633· 5 early instar grubs.
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    Chemical control of black pepper 'pollu' beetle, Longitarsus nigripennis Mots. (Coleoptera: chrysomelidae)
    (1974) Pillai, G.B.; Abraham, V.A.
    The pollu or hollow berry in pepper, caused by the flea beetle Longitarsus nigripennis Mots., is responsible for 30-40% losses in yield. Field control trials with different insecticides showed that dimethoate 0-1%, quinalphos 0-1% or endsoulfan 0-1%, when sprayed twice in July and October, is effective in reducing pest infestation. The results are important in that these insecticides can replace the presently recommended DDT for the control of pepper pollu beetle.
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    Chemical control of black pepper pollu beetle, Longitarsus nigripennis Mots. (Coleoptera : Chrysomelidae)
    (2007-02-08) Pillai, G.B.; Abraham, V.A.
    The pollu or hollow berry in pepper, caused by the flea beetle Longitarsus nigripennis Mots., is responsible for 30-40% losses in yield. Field control trials with different insecticides showed that dimethoate 0-1%, quinalphos 0.1% or endsoulfan 0-1%, when sprayed twice in July and October, is effective in reducing pest infestation. The results are important in that these insecticides can replace the presently recommended DDT for the control of pepper pollu beetle.
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    A comparative study on the efficacy of pheromone lures in trapping red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliv. (Coleoptera : Curculionidae) in coconut gardens
    (2007-02-08) Abraham, V.A.; Saritha S. Nair; Radhakrishnan Nair, C.P.
    A field trial was conducted to assess the efficiency of different pheromone lures in trapping coconut red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliv. The results revealed that two formulations of AgriSense, UK, viz. RF 078B210L189A and RF 078A210L189C and Chem Tica formulation ferrolure + were equally effective in trapping the weevil. Because of the visibility of the pheromone in the sachet the monitoring for replacement of the empty lure by the user was possible with Chem Tica ferrolure + and this is an added advantage. It is also found that effective weevil trapping is possible only if pheromone is used along with the food bait.
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    Control of Arecanut Spindle Bug (Carvalhoia arecae Miller and China) Using Granular Insecticides
    (1976-06) Abraham, V.A.; Sathiamma, B.; Abraham, K.J.; Chandy Kurian
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    Deforestation and change of micro-macro climatic conditions
    (2007-02-08) Abraham, V.A.; Gopinathan, K.V.; Padmanabhan, V.; Saranappa
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    Effect of different food plants on growth and development of the coconut white grub Leucopholis coneophora Burm
    (2007-02-08) Abraham, V.A.; Mohandas, N.
    Effect of different food plants on the development and biotic potential of the coconut white grab, Leucopholis coneophora was studied in specially designed field cages. Three-day-old first instar grubs were Individually reared upto adult stage on coconut seedlings, cassava, cacao and wild sunn-hemp. Duration of different stages of L. coneophora, size and body weight, percentage survival, fecundity and vlability of eggs were recorded. The duration of devetopioeat was least In cassava and coconut followed by those in cacao and wild sunn-hemp. The observations indicated that cassava and coconut were more,: favourable hosts of L. coneophora. A higher build up of pest population is, hence, likely In coconut ' gardens In which cassava is grown as an intercrop.
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    Evaluation of seven insecticides for control of red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Fabr.
    (2007-02) Abraham, V.A.; Abdulla Koya, K.M.; Chandy Kurian
    Seven insecticides, viz., dichlorvos, phosphamidon, methyl-o-demeton, trichlorphon, para-thion, malathion, and arprocarb, were tested in the laboratory in various concentrations for their effectiveness against the grubs of red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus. Dichlorvos at 0 -25%, methyl-o-demeton, phosphamidon, ard arprocarb at 0 -5%, trichlorphon and malathion at 1 -0%, and parathion at 2-0% gave 100% mortality on the seventh day. The three insecticides, with the lowest LC 90 values, dichlorvos, trichlorphon, and arprocarb, were tested in the field on naturally infected palms and trichlorphon gave the best results with 92% recovery of infested palms.
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