Browsing by Author "Pillai, G.B."

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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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    Baculovirus disease in Oryctes rhinoceros population in Kerala
    (2007-02-08) Mohan, K.S.; Jayapal, S.P.; Pillai, G.B.
    A baculovirus disease was found in Oryctes rhinoceros beetles in Kerala. The symptoms conformed to those reported from South East Asia and the South Pacific Islands. The disease was diagnosed and confirmed by visual symptoms of midgut, smear of midgut contents, immuno-osmophoresis, bioassay in grubs and beetles and electron microscopy of midgut sections of the beetle. The smear test and immuno-osmophoresis were found to be ideal diagnostic methods for routine screening. The bacilliform baculovirus particles measured 215-260x77-108 nm.
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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 in plantation crops
    (2007-02-08) Pillai, G.B.
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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 rhinoceros beetle Oryctes rhinoceros (L.) in Minicoy, Lakshadweep by Oryctes baculovirus - impact on pest population and damage
    (2007-02-08) Mohan, K.S.; Jayapal, S.P.; Pillai, G.B.
    The population of Oryctes rhinoceros (L.), one of the key pests of coconut palm, has been substantially reduced in Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep, through the use of a virus disease of the pest. O. rhinoceros beetles were infected with Oryctes baculovirusLD50 dose/ml, of inoculum) and released into the pest population in Minicoy Island in April, 1983. The virus was previously isolated from field-collected, diseased O. rhinoceros beetles from Kayangulam in Alleppey District, Kerala.- Pre-release observations at Minicoy in April, 1983 revealed high incidence of pest damage to coconut and the absence of the viral disease in the pest population. Post-release observations recorded after two years revealed spread of the virus disease to the subsequent generations of beetles and larvae in breeding sites. The resultant epizootic in the pest population drastically reduced the larval population in breeding sites, leading to a substantial reduction in the damage to coconut palms in experimental plots.
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    Biology and bionomics of insect pests of cinnamon
    (2007-02-08) Vijay Singh; Dubey, O.P.; Radhakrishnan Nair, C.P.; Pillai, G.B.
    The major pests affecting cinnamon include Chilasa clytie L., Sorolopha archimedias Meyr., Acrocercops sp. near telestis Meyr., Popillia complanata Newm., and Singhala helleri Ohs. The minor pests are Sauris sp., Ceroplastes rubens Mask., Apoderus scitulus Walker, and Oecophylla smaragdina F. The nature and extent of damage and biology and seasonal abundance of these pests are discussed.
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    Biology and bionomics of insects pests of cinnamon
    (1978-06) Vijay Singh; Dubey, O.P.; Radhakrishnan Nair, C.P.; Pillai, G.B.
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    Biology and feeding potential of Parena nigrolineata (Chaudoir) (Coleoptera: Carabidae), a predator of the coconut caterpillar Opisina arenosella Wlk
    (1987-04) Pillai, G.B.; Kesava Bhat, S.
    A method to rear P. nigrolineata in the laboratory was developed. Biology and feeding potential of the predator both in the adult and immature stages are discussed. The rate of predation in the grub phase worked out to 0.32 fourth instar caterpillar of 0. arenosella per grub per day. Adult female beetle fed @ 0.34 and male beetle 0.31 fourth instar caterpillar per beetle per day. A scelionid Xenomerus sp- was recorded as an egg parasitoid of P. nigrolineata in the field. Intensity of its natural parasitism was quite high during rainy season and this was responsible for minimising the population of the beetle in the field.
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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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    Brachycoryphus nursei (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), A parasitoid of Opisina arenosella Wlk. on coconut in Kerala, India
    (2007-02-08) Pillai, G.B.; Ramachandran Nair, K.
    The cotton boll worm parasitoid Brachycoryphus nursei (Cameron) has been observed to occasionally parasitise the prepupae and pupae of the coconut leaf eating caterpillar Opisina arenosella Wlk. in coconut gardens around Kayangulam, Kerala State. This Indo-Pakistani species of solitary ectoparasitoid shows some peculiarities in host acceptance, ovipcsition and development. It attacks the larvae, prepupae and pupae, always deposits numerous eggs on the host, eventually to produce only one individual parasitoid. Occasionally, it develops internally in the host pupae. It has high fecundity but possesses low searching ability, thereby causes only negligible percentage parastism in O. arenosella. Eggs are laid after keeping the ovipositor touching the paralysed host. Feeding on the hosts haemolymph is observed throughout the long life span of the female parasitoid. The larvae of B. nursei are cannibalistic. This parasitoid produces more female progeny than males in the field. The females are polyandrous and males are very vigorous. Method of rearing, oviposition, development and life cycle of the parasitoid are discussed.
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    A check list of parasitoids and predators of Opisina arenosella Wlk. on coconut
    (2007-02-08) Pillai, G.B.; Ramachandran Nair, K.
    Two species of parasitoids, Antrocephalus sp.? maculipennis CAM. and Trichospilus diatraeae CHERI AN & MARGABANDU and four species of predators, Ankylopteryxoctopunddta FAB., Geocoris sp., Physopleurella sp. and Cardiastethus sp.? pygmaeus pauliniae CARAYON were recorded by the authors on the leaf eating caterpillar, Opisina arenosella WLK. on coconut, for the first time. Including these, the pest supports 40 species of parasitoids and 20 predators. Among the parasitoids, 34 belong to Hymenoptera, 5 to Diaptera and one to Acarina. The hymenopterans fall under 9 families. Fourteen species belong to Chalcididae, seven species to Ichneumonidae, four species to Braconidae, three to Eulophidae, two to Eurytomidae and one species each to Elasmidae, Bethylidae, Eupelmidae and Trichogrammatidae. Three species of tachinids and two phorids constitute the dipterans. Among 40 species of parasitoids, ten are larval, two larval-pupal, two prepupal and twenty five species pupal. Bracon hebetor SAY (B. brevicornis WESM.) Bracon serinopae (CHERIAN), Goniozus nephantidis (MUES.), Elasmus nephantidis ROHWER, Trichospilus pupivorus FERR., T.diatraeae and Jetrastichus israeli (M. & K.) are the seven gregarious parasitoids of 0. arenosella. Twenty species of the predators fall under four orders: I. Coleoptera (Carabidae-4, coccinellidae-4) II. Heteroptera (Anthocoridae-7, Reduviidae-1, Lygaeidae-1) III. Neuroptera (Chrysopidae-2) IV. Psocoptera (Peripsocidae-1) The dipteran, Stomatomyia bezziana BARANOFF which is a common parasitoid in some parts of the eastern and south-eastern tracks of Sri Lanka is not at all present in India. The Sri Lankan biotype of Eriborus trochanteratus (Morley) attacks O. arenosella caterpillars on coconut and this biotype is established at Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) and Thottappally (Kerala) in India. B. hebetor becomes adapted to Corcyra cephalonica ST., when reared continuously on its larvae in the laboratory and such adults quite often do not exert any high degree of suppression of 0. arenosella in the field. Xanthopimpla pundata F. and x. nana nana SCHULZ. appear in the field only in the latter half of the year. Both species select breeding sites close to the sea shore, back waters, streams and paddy fields and congregate in such sites without uniformly dispersing to all pest-infested regions Bradiymeria sp. dominate the parasitoid complex of 0. arenosella in Kerala and Bradiymeria nosatoi HABU has several desirable attributes of an ideal parasitoid. Larval and pupal parasitism vary from locality to locality and region to region. A thorough survey for the natural enemies of O. arenosella in different tracts of the country would be rewarding.
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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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    Coconut root (wilt) disease -A practical approach-"Contain the disease and live with it"
    (2007-02-08) Bavappa, K.V.A.; Pillai, G.B.; Mathen, K.
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    Diagnosis of baculovirus infection in coconut rhinoceros beetles by examination of excreta
    (2007-02-08) Mohan, K.S.; Jayapal, S.P.; Pillai, G.B.
    Oryctes rhinoceros beetles, when infected with Oryctes baculovirus, excreted gut epithelial cells having hypertrophied nuclei, between the third and ninth day post-inoculation. Detection of such abnormal nuclei in the excreta was used as a method of diagnosis of baculovirus infection in field-collected beetles, needed alive for various experiments. This method eliminates the need for sacrificing the beetles for mid-gut examination, a routine method of diagnosis.