R. D. Gautam
Published: 2008-01-01
Total Pages: 287
Get eBook
Particular mention has been made for rearing techniques of 43 insect species comprising 14 laboratory hosts (cutworms, bollworms, aphids, mealy bugs, meal moth, pyrrhocorid), 17 predators (aphidophagous and coccophagous coccinellids, chrysophids, anthocorid) and 12 parasitoids (trichogrammatids, scelionid, braconids, ichneumonid, encyrtid, eulophid and tachinid) either on alternate host or artificial diets. A comprehensive information on a few promising semi-synthetic diets, mass production and field utilization of important microbial bio-control agents including role of Bacillus thuringiensis genes in developing transgenic crops is also included. 18 simple practical exercises on biological control are designed herewith and supported with a chapter covering immature stages of the parasitoids and predators, which supplements theoretical part of many exercises. The book further highlights the constraints in adoption of biological control, relevant terminology, collection, preservation and shipment of bio-agents. Diverse aspects of procedures in biological pest suppression viz., introduced natural enemies, foreign agencies involved, augmentation, colonization & conservation, important crop pests, weed and their bio-agents, procedure for computation of cost of production, establishment of research & commercial insectaries, a proforma developed by Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux, U.K. for insect identification services are well placed. Also, registration requirements/ guidelines for bio-control agents as introduced by the government are added to the appendices followed by a list of microbial products registered under Insecticide Act, 1968, in India.