EVOLVING METHODS FOR CONSERVATION OF GEOCORIS OCHROPTERUS FIEBER (HEMIPTERA: LYGAEIDAE)
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Date
2000
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AAU, Anand
Abstract
Methods for conservation of Geocoris ochropterus Fieber (Hemiptera : Lygaeidae) were evolved during 1999-2000 at Anand Campus of Gujarat Agricultural University and farmer's field at Awakhal village of Vadodara district. G. ochropterus was produced in the laboratory on cold stored pupae/field collected aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover and reintroduced in the cotton growing area where it was eliminated. The results indicate that the predator could successfully survive, reproduce and thus maintain substantial population. The predator was also observed to survive on other economical crops as well as weed hosts after removal of cotton. However, it remains to be seen how it over summers in the release site. The studies on conservation revealed that the predator can be conserved in cotton by interspersing maize and also by providing suitable refugia viz., maize prior to removal of the main crop i.e. cotton. The predator was found maintaining a sizable population on crops like ratoon cotton, maize, sorghum, bajra, paddy, groundnut, lucerne and Chrozophora rottleri. Methyl-o-demeton, endosulfan, fenvalerate and cypermethrin normally used in cotton were found to have detrimental effects on the predator. Sizable population of G. ochropterus perish during mowing operation (of sunnhemp) done by tractor mounted disc harrow. In view of this, mowing by tractor mounted disc harrow should be avoided. It could be concluded that G. ochropterus sustained after its re-introduction in insecticide free cotton. Such introduction in other cotton growing areas after knowing its status should be attempted.
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AGRICULTURAL ENTOMOLOGY, AGRICULTURE, METHODS