Aqueous and ethanolic seed extracts of Annona squamosa L. and Mangifera altissima B. were evaluated in the laboratory on adult coconut leaf beetles, Brontispa longissima G. Direct-spray method was employed in delivering the treatments to the test beetles. On the other hand, dip method was used in exposing parasitized pupae to different treatments. Laboratory results revealed that aqueous and ethanolic extracts of M. altissima at 15% w/v and 10% w/v, respectively and A. squamosa at 2%w/v and 10%w/v, correspondingly were comparable to ThiametoxamTM. Percentage mortalities observed for all seed extracts used except the aqueous form of M. altissima exhibited a dose-dependent manner. Probit analysis revealed that the trend for LC50 for each seed extracts is M. altissima aqueous extracts (MAAE) >A. squamosa aqueous extracts(ASAE) >M. altissima ethanolic extracts (MAEE) >A. squamosa ethanolic extracts (ASEE). It was also found that based on recorded mean parasitoid emergence, ThiametoxamTM had greater sub-lethal effect than the botanicals on the natural enemy of coconut leaf beetle, Tetrastichus brontispae F. (5.00 ± 3.00). The chemical groups such as phenols, saponins and tannins might be possibly responsible for the observed bioactivities against the hispid beetle. UV-vis analyses of ethanolic fractions further revealed presence of secondary metabolite known to have several biological activities; annonasquacin for A. squamosa and mangiferin for M. altissima. Proper formulation of these materials can be developed as alternative control to B. longissima as they may offer selectivity than conventional insecticide and contain mixture of phytochemicals that can deter development of insect resistance.

Keywords: Brontispa longissima G., insect pest, endoparasitoid, Cocos nucifera L., seed extracts, insecticidal

Considering the indispensable role of reduviid predators in ecofriendly pest management programme, the relationship between a predatory reduviid, Rhynocoris fuscipes, and three prey species viz., red cotton bug Dysdercus koenigii Fab. (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae), cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis (Tinsley) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and rice flour moth Corcyra cephalonica Stainton (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), were scrutinized and studied to determine the influence of host species on biology, host stage preference and biological control efficiency under laboratory conditions. Rhynocoris fuscipes completed nymphal stage in 41 days when feeding on C. cephalonica, 45 on D. koenigii, and 50 days on P. solenopsis. Adult longevity, fecundity and egg viability were higher in C. cephalonica fed category and the lowest on P. solenopsis. Life table parameters were in favor of C. cephalonica. Third instars of D. koenigii were favored by third and fourth instars of the predator. Fifth instars and adults of the predator had chosen fourth and fifth instars of D. koenigii, respectively. All instars of predator preyed on adults of P. solenopsis. It is observed that the reduviid responded to increased D. koenigii and P. solenopsis density with type II functional response. Positive interactions distinctly imply that there is a salutary effect on the pest as well.

Keywords: Biocontrol; cotton pests; comparative biology, life table; Rhynocoris fuscipes, Functional response 

The rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae is a major stored grain insect pest that causes both quantitative and qualitative damage to cereals. Hence, the study was conducted to evaluate the insecticidal efficacy of Clerodendrum multiflorum, Clerodendrum viscosum, Vitex negundo, Argemone mexicana and Withania somnifera leaves essential oil against S. oryzae in laboratory conditions. The essential oil isolated from V. negundo and A. mexicana at 2.0 μL/gm of wheat was found to be toxic, causing 100% mortality as compared to other plant essential oils. The percentage of oviposition deterrence increased from 20% to 90% by increasing the concentrations of essential oils. Interestingly, all plant essential oils were inhibited F1 adult emergence at lower dose. Essential oils of V. negundo and A. mexicana revealed significant toxicity, oviposition deterrence and inhibition of F1 adult emergence of S. oryzae at lower concentrations. Thus, these plant essential oils may be suggested as admixtures in the integrated management of rice weevil during the storage of grains.

Keywords: Bio-pesticides, Essential oils, Oviposition deterrence, S. oryzae

Green gram (Vignaradiata L.) is a popular edible legume of India. The plant is cultivated by the local farmer as cash crops. Rhizobium sp. was isolated from the root nodules of green gram. The pure culture of the isolated bacterium was carried out at the laboratory with Yeast- Extract Mannitol (YEM) Agar medium. The characterization of the bacterium was made by morphological and biochemical tests. Production of siderophores by the Rhizobium bacterium was qualitatively measured by Chrome Azurol S (CAS) agar plate method. Antagonistic behaviour of the Rhizobium  isolates against two phytopathogenic microorganisms such as Rhizoctonia solani and Rhizoctonia oryzae were studied by the agar co-cultivation method. The zone of inhibition was recorded for both the pathogens are 46% and 51% respectively. The results indicated that Rhizobium species are capable to resist the growth of both the studied phytopathogens at in vitro condition. Therefore, Rhizobium sp. is a good candidate to control the growth of both the studied phytopathogenic microorganisms and can be used as a biocontrol agent for the same.

Rhynchophorus ferrugineus is the most dangerous palm pest in Egypt and the Middle East. A lot of efforts have been made since three decades up to date to solve this problem. In this study, the essential oil of Origanum majorana was tested in vitro against larvae, pupa and adult stages of R. ferrugineus. In addition, the chemical composition of the essential oil was elucidated by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Two main toxic components (benzonitrile, 2-hydroxy 23.67%and L-linalool16.32%) were found. A significant mortalities were achieved after exposure to three concentrations (5, 10 and 15%) of O. majorana oil. Each concentration contains five replicates with 5 larva, pupa or adultfor each replicate. The effect reached 50% for 10% concentration at 96 hrs, 48 hrs and 12 hrs for larva, pupa and adult, respectively. In addition, the cuticle of treated larvae was investigated histopathologically, and corrugation and a thinning surface were found. These results suggest that O. majorana essential oil is a promising alternative to chemicalpesticides and can be used as a biopesticide against larvae, pupa and adult of R. ferrugineus.

Termites (Macrotermes) are destructive pests in nature and their activities cause economic loss to field crops, wooden and building structures. Plant protectants have been widely used but information on the use of Ocimum gratissimum, kerosene and naphthalene in their single and mixed forms at various concentrations in the control of Macrotermes is lacking.Hence this study determined the toxicity and repellency of O. gratissimum, kerosene and naphthalene in their single and mixed forms on Macrotermes. Termites were sourced using axe and shovel, and exposed to 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5g of O. gratissimum, naphthalene and kerosene in single forms respectively. Mixed forms were in 50%:50% of 0.5-1.5g of O.gratissimum and naphthalene, 0.5 -1.5g/mL of kerosene and O. gratissimum, and naphthalene and kerosene respectively. The set up was in triplicate and exposed for 24 hours. Results revealed that all concentrations of O. gratissimum, naphthalene, kerosene in single and mixed forms showed anti-termite activities. The differences were not significant(p> 0.05). Complete mortality was recorded in all treatment concentrations except 0.5 and 1.0g of O. gratissimum, 0.5g of naphthalene and O. gratissimum. All concentrations of kerosene, 0.5 and 1.5g/mL of naphthalene and kerosene, 1.0g/mL of kerosene and O. gratissimum caused complete mortality after 6 hours of treatment. The difference between the time mortality was significant p< 0.05. Repellency and their distances being remarkably high across all concentrations and the differences were significant (p<0.05). Lethal concentrations at 50% and 95% of all treatment were 0.347 and 0.471, respectively except for O. gratissimum which was 0.086 and 0.071g respectively. The results of this research indicated that higher concentrations of O. gratissimum and the other two treatments in their single forms as well as the mixed forms could limit the destructive activities and economic losses caused by termites.

Black gram is one of the important legume crops in India. It is a favorable pulse crop since it thrives better in all the seasons as a sole and intercrops or fallow crop. It is being infected by many phytopathogens. Among the phytopathogens, the root rot/ charcoal rot disease caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi.) Goid is a major disease, distributed worldwide and considered as the most serious one its management with chemical fungicides exhibit residual toxicity in the soil. It is therefore felt that, it is very essential to develop an effective, cheap and environmentally safe non-chemical method for the management of dry root rot of the pathogen. The biological control using antagonistic microorganisms offer a practical and economical alternative for management of plant pathogens. Hence the present investigation was conducted to test the efficacy of native antagonists of Trichoderma viride for th management of M. phaseolina. The results showed the in vitro efficiency of antagonist inhibited mycelial growth of M. phaseolina. T. viride (Tv6) which recorded the maximuminhibition zone of 81.55%. The culture filtrate of T. viride (Tv6) at a concentration of 30% was found to be maximally reduced in agar well method and poison food technique. Their culture filtrates were also found to be effective in promoting the in vitro growth. Tv6 also promote growth (root length, shoot length, plant biomass), numbers of pods and minimum disease incidence compared to the other isolates under in vivo condition. The findings reported in the present study supported the applicability of Tv6 isolate as a possible alternative to fungicides for the control of root rot in black gram.

Among insect pests of stored legumes, Callosobruchus maculatus is ranked as the most important with seed loss as high as 60-100% having been reported. Chemical control using synthetic insecticides is usually advocated. These chemicals can have undesirable side effects including human and animal health concerns, development of insecticide resistance andenvironmental contamination. Biopesticides, especially the use of semiochemicals, botanical extracts and microbial pesticides provide a sustainable and innovative alternative to the sole use of synthetic insecticides. The components of the sex pheromone for C. maculatus have been identified as 3-methyleneheptanoic acid, (Z)-3-methyl-3-heptenoic acid, (E)-3-methyl-3- heptenoic acid, (Z)-3-methyl-2-heptenoic acid and (E)-3-methyl-2-heptenoic acid, nonanedioic acid and 2,6-dimethyl-1, 8-octanedioic acid. The use of semiochemicals and pheromones in particular can allow for better monitoring of C. maculatus in warehouses and other grain storage facilities. In small scale situations, use of pheromones for mass trapping of C. maculatus may be feasible and should be advocated under such circumstances. The use of semiochemicals forenhancement of the effectiveness of biological control agents of C. maculatus has been explored. Preliminary research indicates that it may be possible to use semiochemicals to manipulate the behavior and increase the efficacy of natural enemies of storage pests including C. maculatus. Various plants and their extracts have been investigated for use in management of all stages of C. maculatus. Several of these have repellent, antifeedant, contact toxicity and/or oviposition deterrent properties. Essential oils derived from various plant parts are particularly effective as fumigants due in large measure to their volatile nature. Use of botanical extracts is particularly appealing for resource poor farmers from developing countries as both the plant materials, as well as most of the techniques used for extraction of the active components are readily available to them. Biological control using microbial agents is another viable strategy for management of C. maculatus. A number of entomopathogenic fungi in particular have been isolated, tested and their efficacy against the cowpea seed beetle demonstrated. Culture and formulation preparation of these fungi and other microbial agents can also be done at the farm level. The combination of several biopesticidal options offers sustainable and ecologically appropriate alternatives to the sole use of synthetic insecticides for management of C. maculatus and these are explored in the current chapter.

The codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.), a key pest in walnut orchards in Bulgaria, is managed mainly with broad spectrum insecticides. Insecticide application often resulted in destruction of beneficial species and environmental pollution. The present study was conducted during 2018 - 2019 in Pazardzhik region of Bulgaria in an isolated orchard. The pheromone trap catches of C. pomonella in the organically maintained walnut orchard in the presence of mating disruption (MD) dispensers was compared with the pheromone trap catches in the conventional control orchard. The Pherocon VI sticky traps, type Delta were baited with standard PHEROCON CM L2 – codlemone. CIDETRAK® CMDA COMBO™ MESO™ mating disruption dispensers containing a unique combination of codling moth pheromone and a patented male and female behavior modifying kairomone were used at the rate of 20 pieces per/ha in the organic orchard. There was reduction in fruit damage in the organic orchards, despite the lack of treatment with pesticides. In spite of 9 - 10 treatments with insecticides, fruit damage was higher in theconventional control orchard compared to the organic orchard. The present results brought out that the mating disruption using CIDETRAK® CMDA COMBO™ MESO™ dispensers against codling moth can provide more effective control against C. pomonella, than the pesticide treatments.