• 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.4 no.2
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• pp.83-91
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• 2002

The protection of silkworm and its host plants from various kinds of pests parasite and predator is a chronic problem in sericulture. Silkworms and its primary food plants are heavily damaged by large number of pest. The major pests of primary tasar food plants (Terminalia arjuna and Terminalia tomentosa) are the gall insect (Trioza fletcheri minor). Various species of aphids (Eutrichosiphum sp.) have been recorded to damage oak tasar food plants whereas muga silkworm host plants (Machilus bombycina and Litsaea polyantha) are generally attacked by stem bores (Zeuzera multistrigata). Castor (Ricinus communis) is one of the primary host plant of eri silkworm and extensive damage is caused by the castor white fly (Trialeurodes ricini). Insects pests are major enemies of silkworms. Parasites (Blepharipa zebina, Exorista bombycis, Apateles glomeratus), predators (Canthecona furcellata, Sycanus collaris, Hierodulla bipapilla), wasps (Vespa orientalix) and ants (Oecophylla smargdina) continues to cause damage to silk industry. It is estimated that the losses due to parasites and predators are to an extent of 15-20 percent and varies from crop to crop. The complexities in the behaviour and life cycle of pest population existing in semi ecosystem warrant a special attention for their effective management specially in changing scenario for our modern sericulture. Though use of synthetic insecticides has provided us with effective control of almost all major pests and predators, yet their undesirable side effects limit their continued use. Biological control is one of the most important method which can be used to control the pests, parasites and predators population in sericulture. Various potential parasitoids, which can be utilized as an agent of biological control in sericulture have been screened. The natural enemies of the uzi fly (E. bombycis and B. zebina ) are already present in the nature. Nesolynx thymus, Trichria sp., Splangia endius, Dirhinus sp., Trichopria sp., Trichomalopsis apanteloctena and Pediobius sp. are the major parasitoids effective against uzi fly pupa. The scelionid Psix striaticeps and Trissolcus sp. are the Potential egg Parasitoids against stink bug (Canthecona furcellata). Various other native natural potential parasitoids have been screened and suitable strategies have been developed to check the population of pest insect in sericulture.