Browsing by Author "Chandy Kurian"

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    Addition to the Record of Host Plants of Stephonitis typicus Distant
    (1972) Mathen, K.; Shanta, P.; Chandy Kurian
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    Association of Stephanitis typicus distant with coconut root (wilt) disease
    (2007-02-08) Shanta, P.; Mathen, K.; Chandy Kurian
    The root (wilt) disease of coconut, widely prevalent in Kerala is a major threat to this important cash crop. A sap-transmissible pathogen has been demonstrated to be systemically present in the affected palms. Stephanitis typicus Dist. was first reported as a possible vector of the pathogen in 1956. Positive transmission of the disease through this insect both in the field and under controlled conditions were reported. Further studies on this insect have shown that it is also a minor pest of coconut foliage. The range of its food plants, details of life history and information on the predacious habits and life-history of a natural enemy in the field have been gathered. Other studies have thrown light on the pattern of distribution of the insect on the palm, seasonal abundance of the bug in the field and its correlation with meteorological factors as well as its comparative abundance in healthy and diseased trees.
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    Attempts at the biological control of rhinoceros beetle
    (2007-02-08) Chandy Kurian; Antony, J.
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    Attempts on introduction and colonization of the exotic reduviid predator, Platymeris laevicollis distant for the biological suppression of the coconut rhinoceros beetle Oryctes rhinoceros L.
    (2007-02-08) Antony, J.; Mariamma Daniel; Chandy Kurian; Pillai, G.B.
    Vander Plank (1958) detected along the east coast of Africa Platymeris laevicollis Dist., a predaceous bug preying on natural populations of Oryctes monoceros Oliv , and O. boas F., which are pests on coconut palm in those regions. However, no such predator attacking and killing adults of O. rhinoceros L. has been recorded from India so far. Hence its predatory habits and alienity have been taken advantage of in a trial on its introduction and colonization against O. rhinoceros in India. Viable culture of the predator was obtained from different sources including its native home viz. Zanzibar. In an attempt to colonize, the predator under different agro-ecological conditions, laboratory bred bugs were released in large numbers on the crowns of palms at Pandalam (Kerala), Androth (Lakshadweep) and Vittal (Karnataka). At Pandalam where field release of the bugs was done from 1968-74, the live population of the beetles in the crownsof one hundred palms under release was observed to be comparatively less than that of the dead beetles collected from the palms on which the predators were released. Consequent on the decrease in population of the beetle and the corresponding dip in incidence of the pest on the crowns of palms the intensity of infestation on leaves and unopened inflorescence had also come down. In Androth Island these bugs were released on 200 palms which were very heavily infested by the beetle with a high population density (243 beetles on 155 palms) On the fifth day after the release of the predator 213 beetles were found fed on and killed by the bug whereas 45 beetles including the newcomers were alive. Indications of establishment of the bug were also noticed at Pandalam, and at Vittal, where the bugs are being released regularly from 1971 onwards. At Vittal the incidence of the beetle in the crown of palms and the consequent reduction of damage on the spindle and spa the continued to be comparatively less than the pre-release incidence. Release of the predator at Vittal Centre is being continued.
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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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    Biology and bionomics of Stephanitis typica (Distant)
    (2007-02-08) Mathen, K.; Chandy Kurian
    Direct and indirect evidence is available on Stephanitis typica (Distant) (Tingidae) transmitting Coconut Root (wilt) disease in Kerala, responsible for an annual loss in yield of 34 crores nuts. The lace bug, originally recorded from banana, is polyphagous. On coconut foliage, the bug completes its life cycle in about 25 days with an average incubation period of 12 days and a total nymphal period of 13 days covered under five instars. Both the imago and nymphs drain the contents of the mesophyll tissue. There are two peak periods of abundance in March-May and September-October. Fluctuations in populations are directly correlated to temperature and sunshine, inversely to relative humidity and rainfall. On individual palms, abundance increases from outer to the tender leaves. On each leaf, they occur in greater numbers in middle leaflefts. Diseased palms harbour more insects than the healthy. The insect is preyed upon by a mirid bug. The pest is easily controlled by praying carbaryl.
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    Check these pests of cacao
    (2007-02-08) Chandy Kurian; Natarajan, P.; Sethumadhava Menon, K.
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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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    The concept, philosophy and feasibility of integrated pest control with particular reference to coconut
    (2007-02-08) Chandy Kurian; Ponnamma, K.N.; Abdulla Koya, K.M.
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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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    Control of Arecanut Spindle Bug Carvalhoia arecae M. and C. using Granular Insecticides in the Field
    (2007-02-08) Sathiamma, B.; Abdulla Koya, K.M.; Rawther, T.S.S.; Chandy Kurian
    Granular formulations of phorate, lindane and quinalphos were tested under field conditions in demonstration cum trial plots at CPCRI, Research Centre, Palode during 1977-1980. Trials proved that granular formulations of lindane and phorate, applied to the innermost two or three leaf axils @ 10 g per palm at quarterly intervals, in March, June, September and December effected significant control of the spindle bug population in the field. The cost of the insecticide granule+labour for treatment of 100 palms worked out to Rs. 301- for lindane and Rs. 381- for phorate.
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    Description, life-history and habits of Stethoconus praefectus (Distant) (Heteroptera : Miridae), predacious on Stephanitis typicus Distant (Heteroptera : Tingidae), a pest of coconut palm
    (2007-02-08) Mathen, K.; Chandy Kurian
    Nymphs and imago of Stethoconus praefectus (Distant) recorded from Kerala for the first time feed on nymphs and adults of Stephanitis typicus Distant, a pest of coconut foliage. The redescription of imago given here relates to the external morphology of the head, thorax and abdomen. Description of the immature stages and details of its life-cycle and habits arc reported for the first time. There are 5 nymphal instars. The life-cycle occupies a period of 16.6 ± 0.61 days, with an incubation period of 7.1 ± 0.53 and total nymphal period of 9.6 ± 0.95 days. There is a slight preponderance of females in the field. Males live for 2-20 days and females for 12-45 days. The pre-oviposition period is 4.25 ± 0.67 and the post-ovipo-sition period is 3.2 ± l.72 days. A single female lays on an average 2.1 ± 0.5 eggs a day. A single metamorphosing nymph devours 62.3 ± 6.0 host nymphs. An adult on an average sucks 5.2 ± 0.94 hosts a day.
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    Effect of nutrition on the longevity of Bracon brevicornis Wesmael (Hymenoptera : Braconidae) a larval parasitoid of the coconut caterpillar Nephantis serinopa Meyrick
    (2007-02-08) Ponnamma, K.N.; Chandy Kurian
    Bracon brevicornis Wesmael (Braconidae) is one of the important indigenous larval parasitoid of Nephantis serinopa Meyrick, a serious pest of the coconut palm in India. The adult parasitoids are usually fed on diluted honey in the laboratory. The present study assesses the efficacy of different sugars such as xylose, dextrose, sorbose, mannose, mannitol, sucrose and raffinose in comparison with honey and distilled water in increasing longevity of B. brevicornis. The parasitoids were fed daily with 20% solutions of sugars and honey and distilled water as droplets on wax - coated paper. Data revealed that honey is the best food for promoting longer life of the parasitoid, the mean longevity being 10.4 days for males and 30.1 days for females. This was followed by sucrose and dextrose in the order of efticacy. The others are not superior to distilled water. Between males and females, the latter had a significantly longer life span in all cases and more so with honey and sucrose.
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    Efficacy of two indigenous traps for trapping rodents in a coconut plantation
    (2007-02-08) Chandy Kurian; Natarajan, P.; Abdulla Koya, K.M.
    The effectiveness of two rat traps, bamboo snap back-rum-noose trap and plank trap/ death fall trap, was tested in a coconut plantation (23.5 ha area) for 24 months and 9 months, respsctively. The former gave 15.5% catch of Bandicota bengalensis and the latter gave 24.6% catch of three rat species Bandicota indica, Rattus rattus, and Tatera indica.
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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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    Evaluation of six granular insecticides for the control of arecanut spindIe bug, Carvalhoia arecae Miller and China in the field
    (1979-08) Abdulla Koya, K.M.; Rawther, T.S.S.; Sathiamma, B.; Chandy Kurian
    SIX granular insecticides VIZ. lindane 60, carbaryl+ lindane 4 : 40, carbaryl 40, mephosfolan 50, thiodemeton 50 and quinalphos 50 were tested in the field against the spindle bug, Canalhoia arecae Miiler and China on arecanut palm. All the insecticides effected control of the pest. However, quinalphos was superior to mephosfolan and thiodemeton.
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    Field evaluation of BHC carbaryl and endosulfan for the control of the coconut coreid bug, Paradasynus rostratus Distant
    (2007-02) Ponnamma, K.N.; Chandy Kurian; Sukumaran, A.S.; Abdulla Koya, K.M.
    Field evaluation of BHC, car-baryl and endosulfan for the control of coconut coreid bug, Paradasynus rostratus Distant was carried out. Results revealed that it is advisable to use carbaryl 0.05 per cent or endosulfan 0.1 per cent for the control of this coreid bug.