• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.45-49
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• 2006

The present investigation was conducted to know the effects of host age on development and morphological characteristics of Nesolynx thymus, a gregarious ectopupal parasitoid of the uzi fly, Exorista bombycis, a serious en do-larval parasitoid of the silkworm, Bombyx mori L. For experimentation, 3 - 11 day-old pupae of E. bombycis were exposed to 2 day-old adults of N. thymus at $25{\pm}2^{\circ}C\;and\;60{\pm}10%$ RH. A highly significant negative correlation between host age and the following development and morphological characteristics of the parasitoid was observed: number of pupae parasitised, total adult recovery, sex ratio and recovery, longevity, body length, wing span, abdomen length, and abdomen width of females. The findings of the present study clearly demonstrate that various development and morphological parameters of N. thymus are influenced by the age of E. bombycis pupae.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.128-134
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• 2014

Nesolynx thymus Girault (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is one among 20 hymenopteran parasitoids reported to attack the uzi fly, Exorista bombycis, which in turn infests the silkworm, Bombyx mori accounting a cocoon yield loss of 10-20%. A host of factors viz., age and size of host, age and size of parasitoid, availability of host, temperature and quality of host are reported to influence the reproductive efficiency of the parasitoids. In the present study an attempt was made to record the influence of foraging parasitoid density on their reproductive performance. Three day-old uzi pupae were offered to varying numbers (1 - 10) of 2 day old Nesolynx thymus adults for parasitization. The progeny production per pupa (84.44 - 132.77) increased significantly with increase in the number of foraging parasitoid adults (1 - 10) however, progeny production per female decreased. The sex ratio (M : F) (1:25.49 - 1:1.53) decreased significantly with increase in foraging parasitoid adults. The morphometric parameters except female abdomen width of first generation parasitoid showed significant negative correlation with number of foraging adults. However, correlation between the parasitoid size in first generation and their reproductive performance was nonsignificant.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2003

Uzi fly (Exorista bombycis Louis) is one of the major larval endo-parasitoid of silkworm (Bombyx mori). It causes extensive damage to sericulture industry. The application of synthetic organic pesticides has tremendous impact on minimizing pest population but their overuse and frequent misuse and high sensitivity towards the silkworms, has forced the entomologists to search for alternatives to chemical control, which is safe to silkworm, environment and farm workers. Biological control continues to offer exciting possibilities for the control of fly pest population. It is environmentally safe alternative to chemical control and offering a long-term protection. Several potential hymenopteran parasitoids have been screened. Among successful natural enemies, Nesolynx thymus, Trichomalopsis apanteloctena, Trichopria sp., Brachymeria lasus, Pediobius sp., Spalangia sp., Spilomicrus karnatakensis and Dhirhinus sp. are important. It is essential to predict accurately the efficacy of these natural enemies in a new habitat prior to its introduction. The important desirable attributes of these potential parasitoids viz., host searching capacity, specificity, power of increase and fitness and adaptability of the parasitoid in new environment has been recorded. Results of the host parasitoid interaction indicate that the aging of the host function as a factor that influence the host finding efficiency of the parasitoid. It is highly scored with 15-20 hrs old pupa of the host. However, aging of the parasitoid does not significantly affect it. The sex ratio is female biased which is advantageous from biological control point of view, Biological suppression methods involving conservation and utilization of natural enemies have been discussed in detail.

• 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.