Sugarcane woollyaphid (SWA), Ceratovacuna lanigera Zehntner, appeared in an epidemicform in southern Maharashtra and Northern Karnataka, India during 2002 andbiological control of pest with potential predator, Micromus igorotus Bankswas found to be dependable remedy. So the predator was mass multiplied inlaboratory on SWA, and then released in sugarcane ecosystem. The adults werereared using plastic container of 25 cm (ht.) X 11.25 cm (dia) size and werereleased @ 25 pairs per container. SWA was given as adult food and cotton thread[15 cm (length) and 0.155 cm (thick)] was used as ovipositional substrate. Thelarvae were reared in plastic box with ventilated lid [10.00 cm (ht.) X 25.50cm (dia)] @ 100 larvae per box. At the time of pupation corrugated brown paperof 15.0 cm (l) X 12.0 cm (w)] was provided for pupation. The pupae of thepredator were released in SWA infested sugarcane fields @ 500, 1000 and 1500pupae/ha. Studies on predatory dosage, level of incidence and gestation periodfor suppression of SWA to desired level indicated that there exists choice inaltering the dosage depending on the severity of aphid incidence, age of thecrop and gestation period targeted for suppression of pest. Augmentation of 500pupae/ha was adequate to suppress the pest in 90 days when it was prevalent atgrade 2 – 3 on 6 – 7 month crop during June – November. To reduce the gestationperiod and thus to prevent growth and loss of cane, release of 1000 pupae/ha on6 – 7 months crop infested with SWA at 3 – 4 grade ensured the suppression ofthe pest in 60 days after release (DAR) in June – November. A dosage of 1500 pupae/haproved effective to lower the SWA incidence from sever state of grade 5 – 6 oncrop of 6 – 7 months in 30 DAR during June to November. In all the fieldrelease studies, native population of SWA predator assisted the augmentedpopulation.
How to cite this article:
Vidya, M., Ramegowda, G.K., Patil, R. K. and Lingappa. S. 2012. Mass multiplication of Micromus igorotus Banks onsugarcanewolly aphid (SWA), Ceratovacunalanigera Zehntner and field release to manage the SWA. Journal ofBiopesticides, 15(0):180-187.
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