• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.26-30
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• 2015

Tropical Tasar culture is forest and agro-based activity that covers agricultural and industrial activity. Tasar silk is produced by the silkworm, Antheraea mylitta which is polyphagous in nature. A large number of pests are reported to attack both the host plant as well as silkworm. As the rearing is conducted outdoor silkworms are exposed to attack of various pests during their life cycle. Eocanthecona furcellata (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is the major predator of tasar silkworm during young age rearing. Both nymphs and adults of the stink bug suck the heamolymph of silkworm leading to death. The present work was undertaken to study the life cycle of E. furcellata on larvae of vapourer tussock moth which is a major pest of tasar host plants. The incubation period, nymphal duration and total developmental period from egg to adult was $8.0{\pm}0.45d$, $16.0{\pm}3.24$ and $22.0{\pm}4.20d$, respectively. Pre-oviposition, oviposition and longevity of male and female stink bug was $3.20{\pm}0.38$, $17.60{\pm}1.86$, $42.40{\pm}1.94$, $37.00{\pm}3.18d$, respectively. Analysis of the data revealed no significant difference in life cycle of the predator when provided silkworm and vapourer tussock moth larvae as hosts. Which clearly indicates that E. furcellata can multiply on vapourer tussock moth larvae during non rearing periods. Adoption of recommended pest control measures for defoliators of tasar host plants during non-rearing periods will help in reducing the incidence of host plant pests and also in reducing the incidence of stink bug during rearing season. During the study it was also observed that larvae semilooper, boll headed caterpillar and nymphs of leaf hopper serve as alternate/secondary hosts to E. furcellata during non rearing seasons.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.173-180
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• 2001

The stink bug, Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff.) is a natural and potential biocontrol agent of Spilarctia obliqua (Walk.). The present investigation reveals the biology, predatory efficiency and reproductive parameters of the predator which feeds on S. obliqua caterpillars in mulberry plantation. In order to find out the role of prey sine on the biology of the predators the predatory insects were separately fed with small and large caterpillars of S. obliqua. The incubation period of the eggs of E. furcellata was 8.37${\pm}$0.44 days, while the nymphal duration varied as per the prey sine. The predator when supplied with small larvae of prey, consumed 61.1 larvae and completed nymphal stage in 19.9 days; while those fed with larger prey, consumed 36.1 larvae and completed their nymphal stage in 21.55 days. The prey size also influences the reproductive parameters of the predator, The adult female predator is more voracious feeder than the adult male and consumed 41.9${\pm}$0.64 small larvae and 42.2${\pm}$0.87 large larvae during their life span. The longevity of male and female was observed as 20.7 and 29.4 days respectively. Visualization of the predator as well as the movement of the prey increases the predatory efficiency. Scanning electron microscopic studies on the feeding part explain its support in effective predation. Field observations indicated a drastic fall in the incidence of the mulberry pest, S. obliqua with the increased population E. furcellata in mulberry plantation.

• 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.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.135-144
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• 2014

Rearing of tropical tasar silkworm, Antheraea mylitta Drury is mainly conducted in outdoor on Terminalia tomentosa W. & A. a nature grown primary host plant available in forest and also on raised primary host plant Terminalia arjuna Bedd. Temperature, relative humidity and rainfall are the main environmental factors for occurrence of pests (parasites and predators) of tasar silkworm during I, II and III crop rearing in the tropical tasar producing zones. The present study was aimed to study the influence of abiotic factors on prevalence of tasar silkworm pests. The study was conducted at different agro-climatic regions viz., Central Tasar Research &Training Institute, Ranchi, Jharkhand, Regional Extension Centre, Katghora, Chattisgarh and Regional Extension Centre, Hatgamaria during 2010-13 covering 3 seed crop and 6 commercial crops. Data on incidence of tropical tasar silkworm endo-parasitoids like Uzi Fly, Blepharipa zebina Walker and Ichneumon fly (Yellow Fly), Xathopimpla pedator, Fabricius and Predators such as Stink bug (Eocanthecona furcellata Wolf), Reduviid bug (Sycanus collaris Fabricius) and Wasp (Vespa orientalis Linnaeus) was recorded Weekly. The meteorological data was collected daily. Data was collected from 4 different agro-climatic zones of tasar growing areas. Analysis of the data revealed a significant negative correlation between abiotic factors and incidence of ichneumon fly and uzi fly. Based on the 3 years data on prevalence of pests region-wise pest calendars and prediction models were developed.