INSECTICIDAL EVALUATION OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF INDIGENOUS PLANTS IN COMPARISON WITH SYNTHETIC INSECTICIDE FOR THE MANAGMENENT OF THRIPS Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysnaoptera; Thripidae) IN TOMATO CROP

Insecticidal evaluation of aqueous extracts of indigenous plant extracts in comparison with synthetic insecticide against Thrips (Scirotothrips dorsalis) on tomato was conducted under natural field condition during spring 2019. Experiment consists of 8 treatments (neem extract, tobacco extract, garlic extract, datura extract, lantana extract, eucalyptus extract, flonicamid (synthetic insecticide) and control following RCB Design with 3 replications. Treatments were applied thrice after 15 days interval. Results revealed that the three times application of the tested treatments showed varying toxicity against S. dorsalis 24, 48, 72 hours and 7 days after spray applications while ladybird beetle and green lacewing were also significantly affected when recorded 7 days after spray application. However, Flonicamid 50%WG proved to be the most effective till 7th and had lowest pest population followed datura and neem extract. neem extract in all the three spray application . Garlic and eucalyptus also produced significant results compared to control. Neem, tobacco, datura and flonicamid were found to be comparatively more hazardous to ladybird beetle and green lacewing population compared to eucalyptus, garlic and lantana to in all three spray application. Tomato yield was highest with flonicamid (12533 kg/ha) followed by datura and neem (11810 kg/ha and 11300 kg/ha) respectively, while lowest (8133 kg/ha) in control. It is concluded from the current research that flonicamid performed better against S. dorsalis but comparatively more hazardous to natural enemies however lantana, garlic and eucalyptus extract showed better result against S. dorsalis and comparatively safe towards natural enemies thus recommended to be incorporated in IPM program.

CONTROL OF INSECT PESTS ATTACKING TOMATO CROPS IN DISTRICT BAJAUR, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

ABSTRACT Tomato plant (Lycopersicon esculentum) is a widely cultivated vegetable crop. The plant is economically very important. To ensure a successful and economically viable harvest, it is essential that all aspects of its production to be monitored. At present, there is a limited scientific data regarding the use of pesticides in relation to the seasonal incidence of insect pests in the Bajaur district of Pakistan. This study was carried out at a local farm, where the efficacies of Flurofenafire pesticide were examined. The pesticide Flurofenafire was applied once a week to examine its efficacy. The stability of the pesticide was highly dependent on the weather. The occurrence of rain within 24 hours of spraying resulted in Aphid, Jassid, White fly, Thrips and Fruit borer infestations. Aphid infestations were observed on the tomato crop in May 2019, which peaked in July. Bemisia Tabaci infestations peaked in August. Amrasca Biguttula populations peaked in September 2019. Scirtothrips dorsalis and Helicoverpaarmigera infestations were also observed on the tomato crops and caused significant damage. The application of Flurofenafire was able to control these infestations. In conclusion the pesticide Flurofenafire was found effective against a wide range of insect pest of tomato plant. Key Words: Flurofenafire, Pest, Pesticide, Seasonal incidence, Lycopersicon esculentum

Influence of abiotic factors on incidence of thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood of cashew in Gujarat

A study was carried out on cashew variety Vengurla-4 at farmer’s field in hilly area of the Dangs district, Gujarat, India during 2017-18 and 2018-19 to examine the association of pest occurrence with abiotic factors like temperature, humidity, sunshine, wind speed and evaporation. Consistent weekly observations were recorded on the per cent incidence of thrips on three arbitrarily selected trees. The weather-related data was collected for the study from meteorological observatory located at Hill Millet Research Station, Waghai, the Dangs, Gujarat for the retro of two years. The damage by thrips on apple and nut was initiated in the month of January. After ward, damage found rising and it was maximum in the month of February. After the month of February, the damage went on lessening leisurely and almost absent by the end of April. Per cent incidence of thrips exposed non-significant correlation with temperature, relative humidity, sunshine, wind speed and evaporation.

Spatio-Temporal Distribution and Fixed-Precision Sampling Plan of Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Florida Blueberry

Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood is an invasive and foliar pest of Florida blueberry that reduces plant growth by feeding on new leaf growth. A sampling plan is needed to make informed control decisions for S. dorsalis in blueberry. Fourteen blueberry fields in central Florida were surveyed in 2017 and 2018 after summer pruning to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of S. dorsalis and to develop a fixed-precision sampling plan. A sampling unit of ten blueberry shoots (with four to five leaves each) was collected from one blueberry bush at each point along a 40 × 40 m grid. Field counts of S. dorsalis varied largely ranging from zero to 1122 adults and larvae per sampling unit. Scirtothrips dorsalis had aggregated distribution that was consistent within fields and temporally stable between summers, according to Taylor’s power law (TPL) (aggregation parameter, b = 1.57), probability distributions (56 out of 70 sampling occasions fit the negative binomial distribution), Lloyd’s index (b > 1 in 94% occasions), and Spatial Analysis by Distance IndicEs (31% had significant clusters). The newly developed fixed-precision sampling plan required 167, 42, seven, or three sampling units to estimate a nominal mean density of 20 S. dorsalis per sampling unit with a precision of 5%, 10%, 25%, or 40%, respectively. New knowledge on S. dorsalis distribution will aid in evaluating the timing and effectiveness of control measures.