Mass multiplication of pupal parasitoid, Nesolynx thymus (Girault) (Hym.: Eulophidae) for the management of uzi fly, (Dip.: Tachinidae) Exorista bombycis (Louis) in muga silkworm Antheraea assamensis Helfer (Lep.: Saturniidae)

Abstract :

Experiments were conducted in the Bio-Control Laboratory, Central Muga Eri Research and Training Institute, Lahdoigarh, Jorhat (Assam) during September-December 2010 to standardize the mass multiplication techniques for pupal parasitoid, Nesolynx thymus (Hymenoptera:Eulophidae) on the pupae of housefly, Musca domestica (Diptera:Muscidae) in the laboratory to release in the muga silkworm rearing field for the management of Uzi fly, Exorista bombycis (Diptera:Muscidae). Results indicates that an initial establishment cost of rupees 0.74 lakh and consumables cost of rupees 0.197 lakh is required for the production of 10 lakh N. thymus (1000 pouches) adults for covering 20,000 disease free layings (DFLs) of muga silk worm. It is also indicates that a benefit of rupees 2.03 was obtained at every rupee spent. The collected housefly pupae parasitized by N. thymus were kept in a container for 10-12 days in summer and 20-25 days in winter for emergence then 50% honey was provided for N. thymus immediately after emergence. The parasitoids were released in the field during evening hours after 8-10 hrs of mating. For 100 Disease free layings (DFLs) of muga silkworm larvae, 60,000 numbers (6 pouches) of parasitoids to be released in the rearing field for six releases @ 10000/release at an interval of 5-7 days, once in 2 nd, 3 rd, 4 th & 5 th instar, spinning and grainage stage. The standard protocol for mass multiplication of parasitoid on house fly pupae and its economics, benefit cost ratio (BCR) is discussed


Keyword :

Muga culture, Outdoor rearing, Disease Free Layings, Mass production, Benefit cost ratio


Author(s) : Eswarareddy, S. G., Rajan, R. K.
Downloads : 2228
Published Issue : 2011 Vol. 6 Number 2


2011 Vol. 6 Number 2