IDENTIFICATION AND FIELD EVALUATION OF BIO-CONTROL AGENTS OF THE FAMILY BRACONIDAE(HYMENOPTERA)AGAINST IMPORTANT CROP PESTS IN THE N.W.F.P.

Abstract

Field efficacy of braconid parasites was studied in the field and lab. as well. Tomato fruitworm, Tobacco budworm, Chickpea podborer, Cutworms, Aphids, Fruit flies, Okra fruitborer and Scale insects were included in the studies Rearing of tomato fruitworm in lab.showed that 1% larvae were attacked by the braconid Cotesia glamerata and one percent by the ichneumonid Campoletis chlorideae at Peshawar. At Dargai area no parasitism was recorded. Studies on cutworm parasites showed that 11 % larvae were parasitized during 2000 and 15% during 2002 by tichinid fly in Swabi and Mardan areas. No braconid was reared from cutworm. Chickpea podborer (Helicovera armigera) larvae were parasitized by the braconid Apanteles sp. at Karak areas. One percent larvae were attacked. No braconid was recorded from fruit flies (Bactocera dorsalis) on guava at Peshawar during 2000. At Kohat area 3.8 % parasitism was recorded during 2001 by the braconid Opius sp. On okra fruitborer (Earias insulana) 0.66% parasitism by the braconid Rogas testacius was recorded at Peshawar. On scale insect no parasite was found. Aphid parasites on wheat and brassica were studied in detail all the three years. Data collected during 2000 showed that on Brassica 35% and on wheat crop 29% parasitism were recorded at Peshawar. At Swabi these figures were 39% and 67% for Brassica and wheat crops respectively. During 2001, 38% and 24% aphids on Brassica and wheat respectively were parasitized at Peshawar, while at Swabi percent parasitism was 30 and 60 on Brassica and wheat respectively. Data collected during 2002 revealed that on wheat aphids the percent parasitism was 40.29% and 26.02% at Swabi and Peshawar respectively. On Brassica 22.35% aphids were parasitized at Peshawar and 22.10% at Swabi.