International Journal of Plant Protection

M. H. Suchithra Kumari ¹, S. Subramanya ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Entomology, College of Horticulture, Mudigere, Chickmagalur Karnataka, IN
2 Department of Entomology, Post Harvest Technology Scheme, University of Agricultural Sciences, G.K.V.K. Bengaluru Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Insectivorous warblers, namely, Indian wren-warbler, Prinia subflava Sykes (IWW), streaked fantail warbler, Cisticola juncidis (Franklin) (SFW) and ashy wren-warbler, Prinia socialis Sykes (AWW) were found frequently in ragi fields. The seasonality of the warblers was observed from August to July. The commencement of seasonal activity of Indian wren-warbler started with the onset of crop tillering. There was continuous increase in their population till earhead maturity and declined then onwards till the crop was harvested. Such a trend was not observed in case of streaked fantail warbler and ashy wren-warbler. Their population was found to be stable throughout the cropping season. All the three species utilized ragi fields for nesting. These insectivorous warblers placed their nests at different heights of the crop stand. The heights of the nests positively correlated with the plant heights (r=0.74; y=7.01+0.67; p< 0.001; SE=7.76).

Keywords

Insectivorous Warblers, Prinia Subflava, Streaked Fantail Warbler, Cisticola Juncidis, Prinia Socialis

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M. H. Suchithra Kumari ¹, S. Subramanya ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Entomology, College of Horticulture, Mudigere, CHICKMAGALUR Chickmagalur Karnataka, IN
2 Department of Entomology, Post Harvest Technology Scheme, University of Agricultural Sciences, G.K.V.K. Bengaluru Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Insectivorous warblers, namely, Indian wren-warbler, Prinia subflava Sykes (IWW), streaked fantail warbler, Cisticola juncidis (Franklin) (SFW) and ashy wren-warbler, Prinia socialis Sykes (AWW) were found to frequent ragi fields. Indian wren-warbler was the most abundant and dominant species found in ragi fields when compared to other two species. Several insect pests infest ragi crop during various stages of the crop stand. Sampling of insects in ragi fields revealed a total of 23 insect taxa. The food items consumed by theses insectivorous warblers were mostly from within the ragi field itself. Seven species of insects were consumed by the nesting warblers. The food of Indian wren-warbler consisted of mainly insects (98.44%) and spiders (1.56%). The proportion of beneficial insect was only 6.29 per cent of insect pest species. The food of streaked fantail warbler consisted of insects alone (100%).

Keywords

Indian Wren-warbler, Prinia Subflava, Streaked Fantail Warbler, Cisticola Juncidis, Prinia Socialis

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