• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.117-120
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• 2002

Scelionid eggParasitoids Play an important role in biological control of some economically important pentatomids. Stink bug (Canthecona furcellatta Wolff,) is an important predator of Tasar silkworm larvae (Antheraea mylitta D.) and causes 30-40 percent loss in tasar silk industry. Psix striaticeps (Scelionid: Hymenoptera) has been found to be an important egg parasitoid. The parasitization potential of f striaticeps is mere than 60 percent and the sex ratio is female oriented. Studies indicate that the maintenance of existing scelionid population by avoiding harmful practices and the augmentation of scelionids either directly releasing them in the field or by indirectly making the field environment more favorable for them is an important aspect to control the pentatomid population in sericulture. Female bias sex ratio is advantageous to increase the parasitoid population in the field. 24-hour-old egg of stink bug and one-day old parasitoid is suitable for producing maximum progeny. 1 : 30 of parasitoid: host ratio is needed to regulate the estimated population in silkworm rearing field.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 2002

Stink bug, Canthecona furcellatta (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an important predator of silkworm larvae. Nymphs and adult attack the early stage silkworm larvae and causes about 10-15 per cent loss to silk industry. Synthetic organic pesticides has tremendous impact on minimizing the pest population but repeated and frequent use has created problems of residual toxicity, development of resistance to insecticides, pest resurgence and out break, phyto-toxicity and hazards to non target species and beneficial organism. Silkworms are very sensitive to pesticides; therefore, attempt has made to control the bug population through introduction of its native natural enemies in the silkworm-rearing field. Biological control has tremendous scope in sericulture because it is eco-friendly in nature and non-harmful farmers. Native natural enemies have been screened. Psix striaticeps, Trissolcus spp. and Telenomus spp. have been recorded as the most potential parasitoid against pentatomid bug. Life cycle, sex ratio and other various attributes of the par-asitoids have been recorded. The parasitization potential of the parasitoid is very high and they have the ability to discriminate between parasitized and unpar-asitized host. Mass propopagation technique under laboratory condition has been standaydized.