DEPARTMENT OF
ENTOMOLOGY & APICULTURE
M.Sc. THESIS ABSTRACTS
Name of the student:Mohinder Singh
Name of the advisor:Dr N K Sharma
Title of the thesis:Effect of chemical root-dips for control of root-knot nematodes attacking tomato
Year of completion of degree:1986
Abstract of thesis
Studies were conducted to record the efficacy of chemical root-dips as prophylactic measure against Meloidogyne incognita on tomato. The observations recorded revealed that out of nine pesticides (viz. Aldicarb sulfone, chlorpyriphos, Dimethoate, Oxydemeton methyl, Phosphamidon, Quinalphos, Captafol, Carbendazim, Mancozeb), the plant dynamics improved when healthy in nematode free nursery was dipped in 250 ppm of chlorpyriphos, phosphamidon, quinalphos or aldicarb sulfone. The dip treatment with mancozeb proved highly phylotoxic to tomato seedling. All these chemicals (except mancozeb which was discarded) though slow in activity showed larvicidal effect and majority of the larvae (except in captafol and carbendazin) dipped in these chemicals were fond to inactive and failed to revive when transferred to fresh water after 120 hours of exposure period. The results obtained n case of infested nursery revealed that whereas all these pesticides significantly reduced the root galls compared to control, the highest reductions were observed in aldicarb sulfone and dimethoate. All these chemicals (except captafals upto 15 days) were effective in giving protection upto 30 days of treatment, the efficacy of chlorpyriphos and dimethoate was almost comparable with aldicarb sulfone (standard) closely followed by Oxydemeton methyl, Phosphamidon, Quinalphos and Carbendazim.
Name of the student:S.V.S Raju, S-83-A-24-M
Name of the advisor:Dr H S Dhaliwal
Title of the thesis:Impact of chemical pest control measures on honeybee populations, foraging on Brassica seed crop
Year of completion of degree:1986
Abstract of thesis
Impact of time, dosage and mode of application of two systemic insecticides (dimethoate and fenthion) and two contact insecticides (endosulfan and fenitrothion) on A. mellifera foraging on Brassica campestris was worked out. Morning sprays of all insecticides depressed foraging activity up to 28 hrs. Noon sprays persisted for 27 hrs. The number of honeybee visiting bloom in treated plots in descending trend was endosulfan > dimethoate > fenthion > fenitrothion. The impact of evening sprays was up to 24 hrs after spray. The average honeybee visitation in endosulfan treated plots was 0.23 to 2.61/m2/min as against 0.12 to 1.86, 0.12 to 1.76 and 0 to 1.62 bees on bloom sprayed with dimethoate, fenthion and fenitrothion, respectively. Post-treatment mortality was highest by noon sprays followed by morning sprays and evening sprays. High volume sprays should be preferred, as they are least harmful to honeybees in the field as well as in the apiary. Lower than recommended doses of insecticides should be used for pest control on Brassica seed crops in bloom for the sake of safety to foraging bees.
Name of the student:K V K Rao, S-83-A-21-M
Name of the advisor:Dr J K Sharma
Title of the thesis:Flower visiting wild bees under mid-hills conditions of Himachal Pradesh
Year of completion of degree:1986
Abstract of thesis
Investigations on wild pollinators visiting bloom of toria, peach, plum, apricot, apple, cauliflower and carrot revealed thirty-eight species of insects visiting crops. Maximum number of species were collected on carrot (20 spp.) followed by cauliflower (18), toria (18), peach (15), apple (14), apricot (5) and plum (1). Among wild bees, Andrena ilerda was most abundant (19.95%) on toria. However, Apis mellifera was most predominant (57.45%). On peach, wild bees were less numerous and A. mellifera was most dominant (83.86%). A. dorsata was found most abundant both on early and late cultivars followed by Bombus haemorrhoidalis and B. trifasciatus, which constituted 2 to 5 per cent of total bees. On cauliflower Apis dorsata was pre-dominant pollinator. On apple cultivars 94-97 per cent of Apis dorsata were top workers and base workers were only 3 to 6 per cent. Nectar gatherers of A. dorsata were found to carry more pollen grains; however, among all the bees on Delicious cultivars, Bombus haemorrhoidalis followed by B. trifascialus carried higher number of pollen grains. Andrena ilerda carried maximum pollen grains on cauliflower. Foraging activity was found to be correlated positively with temperature and negatively with humidity on toria, apple, cauliflower and carrot. Based on efficiency rate for different traits viz., body length, thoracic width, proboscis length, fore and hind wing length and number of books on hind wings, the different insects have been placed in the order of Bombus haemorrhoidalis > B. trifasciatus >A. dorsataA. melliferaAndrena ilerda > ‘solitary bee’ Halictus catullusCeratina hieroglyphicaH. vachaliiHomioides sp. > H. splendidulusC. beata > Allodape sp. Solan area inhabited diverse wild bee fauna. Because of their importance as crop pollinators, efforts should be made to profitably manage the wild bees’ population so that these may adjunctively work with hive bees in increased crop production.
Name of the student:Harish Kumar Sharma
Name of the advisor:Dr Ramesh Chander
Title of the thesis:Incidence and control of Sphenoptera lafertei Thomson in stone fruits
Year of completion of degree:1986
Abstract of thesis
Studies on the incidence and control of flat headed peach tree borer, Sphenoptera lafertei Thomson were carried out in different stone fruit growing localities of the state, during 1984-86. The insect was prevalent in all the localities and the infestation recorded was 24.5, 74.5, 53.4 and 37.8%, respectively on almond, cherry, peach and plum. The main attack was noticed upto height of 200cm, except for cherry where it was recorded upto 450cm. Orchards located on southern aspect were severely infested (86%) orchards on east were having only 34% insect attack, which further reduced to 19, 14, and 11% in orchards located in north-east, north-west and north, respectively. Sleeving of tree trunk with alkathene sheet/muslin cloth gave the compete control of the pest but in case of former, fungus growth was observed under sleeve. Methyl parathion (0.1%) followed by aldrin (0.3%), fenitrothion (0.1%) and DDVP (0.1%) were effective.
Name of the student:Prem Chand Sharma, S-84-A-18-M
Name of the advisor:Dr J R Thakur
Title of the thesis:Bionomics and control of olive psylla, Euphyllura pakistanica Loginova (Aphalaridae : Homoptera)
Year of completion of degree:1986
Abstract of thesis
Olive psylla was found distributed in all olive (Olea europaea) growing localities of Himachal Pradesh, including the wild olive O. ferruginea. Morphological details of each stage of development (egg and five nymphal instars) and adults are furnished. Eggs were laid on terminal buds in groups of 3-52 and hatched in 4.5 to 11.8 days depending upon temperature, with hatchability of 55.2-88.8%. The nymphs remained covered with woolly filamentous mass of wax secreted from lateral and caudal margins of abdomen through wax glands. The nymphal period varied from 20.7 to 38.9 days. The preoviposition period was longer during spring and autumn (13-18 days) as compared to summers (7.2-11.3 days) but for over wintering females it was on average 87.4 days. A female on an average laid 29.5 to 69.8 eggs. The insect completed 7 generations in the laboratory and there was no complete overlapping of generations. Oviposition by overwintering females began in March with onset of new flush. Population of nymphs and adults was high during April-May and July, and extremely low during winters. Among 8 tested insecticides cypermethrin 0.005%, fenvalerate 0.01% and monocrotophos 0.04% having good contact toxicity proved effective against nymphs and adults but systemic insecticides methyl demeton 0.025% and phosphamidon 0.04% were not as effective against adult stage.
Name of the student:Rajesh Kapatia, H-84-A-19-M
Name of the advisor:Dr R C Mishra
Title of the thesis:To assess the number of honey bee colonies required to pollinate cauliflower seed crop
Year of completion of degree:1987
Abstract of thesis
Cauliflower bloom attracted Apis mellifera, A. dorsata, Bombus trifasciatus, Ceratina hieroglyphica, Andrena ilerda, Eristalis tenax and Episyrphus balteatus as most frequent visitors. A. mellifera nectar gatherers spent 5.34 sec. followed by pollen or nectar + pollen gatherers (3.95) and top workers (3.01 sec.), respectively. A. mellifera visited maximum number of flowers. The wild pollinators were significantly affected by the A. mellifera colony. Pod formation, number of seeds per pod, members of pods per plant, seed weight and seed yield/plant were found to be negatively correlated with increase in distance from the bee colony. On the basis of above parameters four colonies of A. mellifera were recommended for adequate pollination of cauliflower seed crop.
Name of the student:Ravinder Nath Sharma
Name of the advisor:Dr R C Mishra
Title of the thesis:Effect of type and extent of sugars on the toxicity of malathion and endosulfan to Apis mellifera L.
Year of completion of degree:1987
Abstract of thesis
Studies were conducted on the effect of various sugars viz., ordinary commercial sugar, sucrose, glucose and fructose and their different mixtures on the toxicity of malathion and endosulfan to Apis mellifera L. In 50 per cent syrup of various sugars, malathion was highly toxic in ordinary sugar and least toxic in 4:1:1 mixture of sucrose, glucose and fructose. Endosulfan on the other hand was most toxic in 0.4:1:1 mixture and least in fructose. Similar trend of toxicity for malathion and endosulfan was recorded in 30 and 10 per cent syrup of these sugars and their mixtures. In case of sugars taken alone, the toxicity was maximum in 50% syrup and least in 10% syrup irrespective of the type of sugar used. In case of mixtures of various sugars, the toxicity was maximum in 10% (dilute) syrup and minimum in 50% (concentrated) syrup irrespective of the type of mixtures used. Malathion and endosulfan toxicity in different sugars alone was least in fructose and maximum in commercial sugar. In various mixtures of sugars, toxicity was minimum in mixtures dominated by sucrose and maximum in mixture dominated by glucose and fructose.
Name of the student:Parvesh Kumar Sharma, S-85-A-3-M
Name of the advisor:Dr A K Verma
Title of the thesis:Studies on the biology and predation potential of some naturally occurring predators of Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) with special reference to Coccinellidae (Coleoptera)
Year of completion of degree:1987
Abstract of thesis
Survey conducted during 1987 revealed that eleven species of coccinellids and one chrysopid predated upon the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) infesting cole crops in the mid-hill regions of Himachal Pradesh. Among these Coccinella septempunctata L. and Adonia variegate (Goeze) were more abundant. Coccinellid predators were active from second fortnight of April onwards while the chrysopid appeared in the last week of April. The effectiveness of coccinellid predators was hampered by an eulophid parasitoid, Tetrastichus coccinellae Kindj. The extent of parasitization varied from 6.4 to 12.8 per cent. The biological studies of C. septempunctata under laboratory conditions were undertaken for two generations on B. brassicae. The first generation was completed in 81.8 days and second generation occupied 70.5 days. Biology of A. variegate was also studied for two generation on B. brassicae. The first generation was completed in 61.7 days whereas it took only 52.7 days during second generation. Adalia tetraspilota completed one generation in 65.1 days. Chrysopa scelestes completed one generation in 65.4 days during summer. The predation potential studies revealed that larva of C. septempunctata consumed the maximum number of B. brassicae (322.66) followed by A. tetraspilota (246.11), A. variegate (219.33) and E. balteatus (212.92). The least consumption was recorded in the case of C. scelestes (180.58). Adult male and female of C. septempunctata consumed an average of 3051.71 and 3889.85 aphids in the first generation and 3080.86 and 3976.71aphids in the second generation, respectively. The male and female beetles of A. variegate devoured 1003.14 and 1560.86 aphids in the first generation and 908.72 and 1507.71 aphids in the second generation, respectively, while the adult male and female of A. tetraspilota consumed an average number of 1746.44 and 2190.28 aphids, respectively.
Name of the student:Ajay Kumar Sood, H-86-3-M
Name of the advisor:Dr K L Kakkar
Title of the thesis:Insect pest complex of ornamental plants in Himachal Pradesh
Year of completion of degree:1988
Abstract of thesis
In all 65 species of insects belonging to seven orders and one species each of mite and mollusc were collected from different parts of Himachal Pradesh on rose, chrysanthemum, carnation, gladiolus and about forty other ornamental plant species. On rose four (rose aphid Macrosiphum rosaeformis Das, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), Hyperstylus sp. and Arge fumipennis Sm.) out of 18 spp., on chrysanthemumtwo (aphid Macrosiphoniella sanborni (Gill) and blister beetle Mylabris sp.) out of 16 species, and on carnation only one (H. armigera) out of 8 insect and one mite species were of concern. On gladiolus, among 9 insect and one mollusc species, all were of minor importance. Biology of the rose aphid M. rosaeformis, chrysanthemum aphid M. sanborni, H. armigera on carnation and Pieris brassicae on nasturtion was studied. Against rose aphid, effective foliar treatments were demeton-O-methyl 0.025%, followed by phosphamidon 0.03% and dimethoate 0.03%, while against chrysanthemum aphid dimethoate had maximum persistence toxicity and was followed by malathion, demeton-O-methyl, phosphamidon and fenthion (each at 0.03%). Against blister beetles, fenvalerate 0.015%, cypermethrin 0.0075^% and deltamethrin 0.002% had more persistence toxicity than endosulfan 0.05% or Malathion 0.05%. For H. armigera fenvalerate 0.015%, followed by cypermethrin 0.0075%, endosulfan 0.05%, malathion 0.05% and deltamethrin 0.002% had persistent toxicity on carnation.
Name of the student:Anil Sood, S-85-A-1-M
Name of the advisor:Dr J K Sharma
Title of the thesis:Studies on variability in tolerance too some insecticides in honeybees
Year of completion of degree:1988
Abstract of thesis
Studies on variability in tolerance to four insecticides, viz. endosulfan, HCH, fenvalerate and methyl parathion, were undertaken in 14 colonies of Apis mellifera L. and 6 colonies of A. ceranaindica F. As compared to methyl parathion, fenvalerate, HCH and endosulfan on an average were 1.54, 32.58 and 144.65 times safer to A. mellifera, and 1.51, 51.54 and 171.63 times safer to A. c. indica, respectively. The two bee species did not differ significantly for the fat content on dry weight basis but on wet-weight basis, there was significantly higher fat content in A. mellifera (2.18%) than in A .c. indica (1.88%). There was no significant difference between the two species for their DNA and RNA contents but total nucleic acid contents were more in A. mellifera (2.755 µg/mg) than in A. c. indica (2.238 µg/mg). However, there was no significant correlation of LD50 value of these insecticides with body weight, fat or nucleic acid contents.
Name of the student:Ravinder Singh Chandel
Name of the advisor:Dr P R Gupta
Title of the thesis:Effect of diflubenzuron and penfluron on Apis mellifera L. and Apis cerana indica L.
Year of completion of degree:1988
Abstract of thesis
Topical application of chitin synthesis inhibitors diflubenzuron (DF) and penfluron (PF) to larvae and pupae of Apis mellifera and Apis cerana indica revealed that these growth regulators were more or less equally toxic to both species and freshly formed pupae were most sensitive followed by fourth and third instar larvae. Larval mortality occurred either within the instar or at the time of ecdysis and from surviving individuals developed the normal adults. Some adults of both species, formed from DF treated pupae, had defective interlocking in lancets of sting apparatus and possessed a lump of crumpled tissue at its end. The newly emerged bees treated with 12.5-100 µg of DF and PF weighed lighter than the control bees and DF caused more reduction in weight. Bees readily accepted Dimilin (DF) suspension in sugar syrup. Feeding of DF (50 µg / freshly formed bee) interfered with hypopharyngeal gland activity and 6-day old bees of both species had smaller acini. Feeding of 50 mg DF (200 mg Dimilin per litre of 50% sugar syrup) to small experimental colonies enhanced egg laying and significantly reduced total brood area in the colonies of both species. Honey and pollen stores were in general unaffected.
Name of the student:Rajesh Kaushik, H-86-4-M
Name of the advisor:Dr J K Gupta
Title of the thesis:Effect of storage condition on the quality of honey
Year of completion of degree: 1988
Abstract of the thesis
Analysis of fresh honey revealed that it contained 81.5, 80.7, 68.33, 12.37, 32.43, 35.9 and 0.26 per cent total soluble solids (TSS), total sugars, reducing sugars, non reducing sugars, glucose, fructose and colloidal contents, respectively. There was no effect of different treatments (i.e. pasteurization and addition of potassium metabisulphite) and temperature of storage (room temperature, 5oC and 40oC) on the TSS of honey. Total sugar contents of honey decreased from 80.7 (initial) to 78.64 per cent after 2 months of storage but amount of reducing sugars increased from 68.33 to 70.64 per cent and non reducing sugars dropped from 12.37 to 7.81 per cent after 6 months of storage. The glucose contents of honey increased from 32.43 to 34.09 per cent after 6 months of storage and treatments did not affect the glucose content. The sample stored at 40+1oC contained maximum glucose. Fructose contents increased from 35.90 to 36.50 per cent during 6 months of storage. There was no effect of treatments, storage temperature or storage periods on the composition of amino acids in honey. The proline content decreased from 127.66 to 114.14 mg/100 g of honey and diastase activity also declined from 21.56 to 12.36 DN during storage of 6 months and total acidity increased from 2.47 to 3.05 m.e./10 g of honey. The colloidal contents of honey increased from 0.26 to 0.39 per cent after 6 months. The Fiehe’s test (for presence of HMF) was negative up to 6 months of storage in all the treatments, except those stored at 40+1oC. There was a decline in the pH of honey from 4.1 to 3.72 during storage. The temperature of storage, different treatments and the storage periods significantly affected the colour of honey. The highest microbial count was found in unheated fresh honey. Unheated honey stored at 5+1oc was adjudged to be the best in overall quality attributes.
Name of the student:Sat Pal Verma
Name of the advisor:Dr O P Bhalla
Title of the thesis:Studies on pesticidal properties of Euphorbia royleana Boiss against important lepidopteran and molluscan pests
Year of completion of degree: 1989
Abstract of the thesis
The pesticidal efficacy of Euphorbia royleana Beiss latex in water was tested against the eggs and caterpillars of Pieris brassicae (Linn.), Heliothis armigera (Hubner) and mollusc, Bensonia monticola (Hutton). Maximum eggs mortality of P. brassicae (60.71%) and H. armigera (62%) was obtained by dipping the eggs at 4 per cent concentration of the latex. Maximum mortality of 12 hrs starved first, second, third, fourth and fifth instar larvae of P. brassicae was 57.57, 61.10, 52.53, 52.70 and 50.66 per cent after 72 hrs of feeding on leaves dipped in latex 4,6,10,12 and 14% concentration, respectively. The highest mortality of 24 hrs starved first to fifth instar of caterpillars of H. armigera after 72 hrs of treatment was 60.42, 59.18, 66.00, 52.00 and 50.00 per cent, when fed with gram seed soaked in latex of E. royleana at concentrations of 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 per cent, respcetively. The mortality of snail, B. monticola of shell diameter 7.5 mm and 12 mm when fed on treated bean leaves was 68 and 72 per cent after 4 days of treatment at 4 and 6 per cent concentration of E. royleana latex.