Influence of abiotic factors on seasonal incidence of pests of tasar Silkworm Antheraea mylitta D.

Abstract

Rearing of tropical tasar silkworm, Antheraea mylitta Drury is mainly conducted in outdooron Terminalia tomentosa W. & A. a nature grown primary host plant available in forest andalso on raised primary host plant Terminalia arjuna Bedd. Temperature, relative humidity andrainfall are the main environmental factors for occurrence of pests (parasites and predators)of tasar silkworm during I, II and III crop rearing in the tropical tasar producing zones. Thepresent study was aimed to study the influence of abiotic factors on prevalence of tasarsilkworm pests. The study was conducted at different agro-climatic regions viz., Central TasarResearch &Training Institute, Ranchi, Jharkhand, Regional Extension Centre, Katghora,Chattisgarh and Regional Extension Centre, Hatgamaria during 2010-13 covering 3 seedcrop and 6 commercial crops. Data on incidence of tropical tasar silkworm endo-parasitoidslike Uzi Fly, Blepharipa zebina Walker and Ichneumon fly (Yellow Fly), Xathopimpla pedator,Fabricius and Predators such as Stink bug (Eocanthecona furcellata Wolf), Reduviid bug(Sycanus collaris Fabricius) and Wasp (Vespa orientalis Linnaeus) was recorded Weekly. The meteorological data was collected daily. Data was collected from 4 different agro-climaticzones of tasar growing areas. Analysis of the data revealed a significant negative correlationbetween abiotic factors and incidence of ichneumon fly and uzi fly. Based on the 3 years dataon prevalence of pests region-wise pest calendars and prediction models were developed.