JEB logo

Journal of Environmental Biology

pISSN: 0254-8704 ; eISSN: 2394-0379 ; CODEN: JEBIDP

About Journal
    Home
    Obituary: Dr. R. C. Dalela
    Editorial Board
    Reviewer Panel
    Publication Policies
    Guidelines for Editors
    Guidelines for Reviewers
    Abstracting and Indexing
    Subscription and Payments
    Contact Journal
    About Triveni Enterprises
 
Read Journal
    Current Issue
    Journal Archives
 
For Authors
    Guidelines for Authors
    Terms and Conditions
    Fees and Payments
    Track Paper Status
 

Google Search the Journal web-site:


    Abstract - Issue Nov 2012, 33 (6)                                     Back


nstantaneous and historical temperature effects on a-pinene

Studies on Oecophylla smaragdina as a  bio-control agent against  pentatomid bug infesting on Pongamia tree

 

Author Details

 

B.B. Hosetti

(Corresponding author)        

Deptament of Applied Zoology, Bioscience complex, Kuvempu University, Jnana Sahyadri,

Shankaraghatta - 577 451, India    

e-mail : basalling@yahoo.co.in  

B.S. Rudresh 

Deptartment of Applied Zoology, Bioscience complex, Kuvempu University, Jnana Sahyadri, Shankaraghatta - 577 451, India

 

 

Publication Data

Paper received:

26 June 2011

 

Revised received:

17 November 2011

 

Accepted:

22 December 2011

 

Abstract

Weaver ants, (Oecophylla smaragdina) have been found to predate on pentatomid bug (Cyclopelta siccifolia) infesting Pongamia pinnata tree in mid-western Ghat region of Shimoga district, Karnataka. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the potential of weaver ants, that are abundant on P. pinnata trees, to control the pentatomid bugs. Consistent and systematic field surveillance was carried out for a period of two months, March and July 2010. This showed that the number of pentatomid bugs colony found on branches of tree was significantly lower in tree with abundant weaver ants (11.21-16.84%) than in trees with fewer weaver ants (26.51-38.24%), or in trees without ants (61.42-75.47%) similarly, the branches damaged by pentatomid bug (9.42-11.43%) their in trees with abundant weaver ants  which was significantly lower than in trees with fewer weaver ants (16.13-23.24%) and without ants (38.42-51.47%) in March and July. The pentatomid bug colony and their damage was significantly low on trees with abundant weaver ants than with fewer ants, or without the ants. Field observations regarding infestation of pentatomid bugs revealed that weaver ants are effective naturally occurring biological agents help in controlling damage caused by pentatomid bugs on Pongamia trees.

 

Key words

Biological control, Oecophylla smaragdina, Pentatomid bug, Pongamia pinnata, Cyclopelta siccifolia, Weaver ants

 

Copyright © 2012 Triveni Enterprises. All rights reserved. No part of the Journal can be reproduced in any form without prior permission. Responsibility regarding the authenticity of the data, and the acceptability of the conclusions enforced or derived, rest completely with the author(s).

Â