Pratap Singh , R. S. Bhandari , Massrat Fasih , Ganga Prasad , B. D. S. Tyagl , B. M. Mishra , R. K. Mishra

Abstract

Epidemic defoliation of deodar forests by Ectropis deodarae in Lolab Valley was reported in August, 1982. The population of the pest was monitored in early spring of 1983, by counting pupae on the ground per unit area, the ascending female moth stuck up on sticky bands applied to deodar trees and also larval population per twig. As the population was found to be on the increase and an epidemic was threatened a decision was taken to spray an organophosphorous compound fenitrothion from the air. Two Beaver aircrafts were used for the operation. The dispensing equipment used was boom and nozzle and the insecticide dosage was 1 litre per hectare Pre and Post-treatment counts of the pest population gave 92% kill. Non-target organisms hit by the spray were also monitored. There was no mortality of birds and other vertebrates. A good number of non-target insects including Calosoma beesoni, the predator beetle of Ectropis deodarae were also hit. The dosage can be safely reduced to 775 ml/hectare which will effectively kill tbe pest and cause less harm to predators.

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Pratap Singh , D. S. Rawat , R. M. Misra , Massrat Fasih , G. Prasad , B. D. S. Tyagi

Abstract

no abstract

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Pratap Singh , Massrat Fasih , Ganga Prasad

Abstract

Exotic pines are being planted on a large scale in the country. With all exotics we face problems from indigerous and introduced pests. By and large except for pine adelgid which got inadvertently introduced into the country sometime back, the exotic pines have no insect pest problems. The other insects recorded from them are casual feeders only. Most of them belong to the order Lepidoptera with lesser numbers in Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Orthoptera, Hymenoptera and Isoptera. Majority of them are defoliators. All of them are potential pests. To check further spread of the pine adelgid no vegetative material should be transported from one region to another. With the passage of time indigenous insects will adapt themselves to their new hosts or insects from their native homes are likely to gain entry in their new homes. Therefore, continued surveillance is necessary for detection of new pest introductions and pest build-up. Relatively insect free conditions of pines today should not lull foresters to compiacency so that they neglect plans for alternate species or for control measures when pest build-up takes place.

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