Browsing by Author "Joy, P J"

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Advantages, disadvantages and the possibilities of the utilization of brachymeria parasites for the biological control of Nephantis Serinopa, the black-headed caterpillar pest of coconut
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1977) Joy, P J; Joseph, K J
This paper deals with the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing Brachymeria (Neobrachymeria) nosatoi and B. nephantidis as agents for the biological control of Nephantis serinopa.
Bioecology of orthogalumna terebrants wallwork on waterhyacinth
(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1994) Babykala, P; Joy, P J
The mite biology, morphology, nature of extent of damage and interaction with N. eichhorniae were studied. The might laid solitary eggs sideways to the oviposition holes, deeply embedded in the aerenchyma cells. The incubation period was 5.8 days. The larvae and nymphs fed by making galleries. The larvae, proto and deuto nymphal stages were completed in 3 days each, while that of tritonymph took 4 days. The duration of inactive stages from larva to proto, proto to deuto and deuto to tritonymphal stage were 1.6 days each, whereas from tritonymph to adult, it was 3 days. Adult longevity was 57.3 days. pre-ovipositional period was 4 days and the total number of eggs produced during the whole life period was 41.5 eggs. The larvae have three pairs of legs but no genital opening. The nymphal stages have four pairs of legs, ending in single claws. The proto, deuto and tritonymphal stages, have one, two and three pairs of genital papillae respectively. This character helps in identification of larval and nymphal stages. The adults are pteromorphs and sexual dimorphism is absent. Sensillus is relatively short with curved stem and globular roughened head. Terminally the tarsus of the leg has three claws on a short peduncle the lateral claws more slender than the median and sharply angled. The larval and nymphal feeding produces galleries on leaves of waterrhyacinth resulting in brown streaks on the leaf lamina. Such brown streaks later coalesce to form large brown areas, leading to drying up of the entire leaf. As the mite load increased from ten to eighty the number of plants and number of leaves showed significant reduction 90 days after release. The extent of damage caused by O. terebrantis with or without weevil under open and partially shaded conditions of waterhyacinth plants was experimented upon, and it showed that, the root length, petiole length ( in open condition), laminar width and length, number of leaves and number of plants under both light intensities (partially shaded and open condition), in general showed a decreasing trend. The plants in tanks having ten weevils alone per tank and 10 weevils plus 100 mites per tank under partially shaded conditions collapsed within 60 days, whereas in open condition of that having 10 weevils plus 100 mites per tank, all the plants collapsed by the 75th day. In the treatment with ten weevils alone per tank in open condition the collapse occurred only at 105 days. In the treatment with 100 mites alone per tank, there was no collapse of plants upto 105 days (in both conditions). The number of mite galleries and mite population per leaf with Neochetina feeding marks was comparatively more in the presence of weevils than in their absence. Fungi like Fusarium, Aspergillus and Rhizopus were isolated and also the spider mite and insects like aphids and grasshoppers were noticed.
Biology morphology nature of attack and dispersal of cytobagous salviniae calder and sands (Curculionidae coleoptera)
(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1988) Leena, K T; Joy, P J
In studies on the biology and morphology of cyrtobagous salviniae calder & sands (curcullionidae: Coloeptera) a very successful agent for the bio control of the menacing weed salyinia molesta Mitchell, the females were found to insert their eggs on leaf base and rhizome scars. The egg period was 7.9 days. There are three instars, the average larva period was 23.5 days. The pupal period extended for 11.3 days. Adults showed a mean life span of 211.9 days. A pre ovipositional period of five to ten days was recorded. The three larval instars differed in respect of the relative size of head capsule and width of mandible. Adult females are slightly larger than the males. The spine like processes towards the distal end of the hind tibia are arranged in a linear manner, while in fore and midlegs these spines are arranged in a circular manner. The hind leg spur does not have a hump. Observations on the nature of damage showed that the adults were capable of arresting the growth of the weed by feeding on the buds and leaves. Occassionally they feed on rhizomes and roots. Larval scraping followed by tunneling resulted in the decay of plant parts. Weed mass showed discolouration about 15 days after initiation of feeding by the weevil and the whole weed became a black mass in about 90 days. The rate of dispersal of adult weevils was found to be very slow.
Biology of Brachymeria Nephantidis Gahan and Brachymeria Lasus (walker) (Hymenoptera : Chalcididae)
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1978) Joy, P J; Narendran, T C; Joseph, K J
The detailed biology of Brachymeria nephantidis and Brachymeria Insus, two important, pupal parasites of the black headed caterpillar of coconut Nepliantis serinopa has been studied and the results are reported in this paper.
Establishment of cyrtobagous salviniae sands (Curculionidae:Coleopjera) on salvinia molesta mitcheil in Kerala
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1984) Joy, P J; Satheesan, N V; Lyla, K R; Joseph, D
Establishment of Pareuchaetes Pseudoinsulata Rego barros (Ammalo insulata walk.), an arctiid caterpillar, for the biological control of chromolaena odorata
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1987) Satheesan, N V; Lyla, K R; Joy, P J; Joseph, D
Hairy caterpillar euchromia polymena Linn.- A serious pest of Tylophora Indica (Burm.F.) Merr. and Ipomoea Mauritiana Jacq.
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1992) Lyla, K R; Reghunath, B R; Joy, P J
Insect pest natural enemy- host plant interaction studies with special reference to the brown planthoper nilaparvata lugens(Stal.)
(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1999) Haseena Bhaskar; Joy, P J
Field surveys were conducted in Kole land and Kuttanad to assess the population of rice BPH, Nilaparvata lugens (Stal) and its natural enemies. Field investigations on the population dynamics of BPH and its natural enemies were carried out on susceptible (Jaya), moderately resistant (Jyothi) and resistant (Kanakom) rice varieties at the rice fields of Rice Research Station, Moncompu during 1997-98. The influence of these varieties on the biology of the pest, the biocontrol efficiency of the major natural enemies and the biology of the mirid predator Cyrtorhinus lividipennis Reuter was studied in the laboratory. Histological and chemical investigations were undertaken to evaluate the factors that contribute to the resistance/susceptibility in them. Results of field survey in Kole land revealed that the population of BPH was far below the economic threshold level (ETL). In Kuttanad, in kayal area during Rabi season and in karappadam tract during Kharif season outbreaks of BPH occurred in some localities due to the indiscriminate use of insecticides resulting in the mortality of natural enemies. The results of the study on population dynamics revealed that the BPH population was significantly high on the susceptible J aya and low on the resistant Kanakom with the population reaching a peak from February to March. The predatory complex of the BPH comprised of the rnirid Cyrtorhinus lividipennis, Lycosa pseudoannulata, Tetragnatha maxillosa, Atypena formosana, Microvelia douglasi atrolineata, Pseudogonatopus sp. and Ophionea nigrofasciata. C. lividipennis was the most predominant predator regulating the hopper population and there exists a density dependent host-predator relationship. The population of the mirid predator on Jaya and Kanakom did not differ significantly. The prey-predator ratio was lowest on the resistant variety and highest on the susceptible variety. Of the weather parameters studied, the minimum -. temperature showed a highly significant negative correlation with the population of N. lugens in all the varieties. BPH reared on the resistant variety recorded longer nymphal duration, decreased nymphal survival and shorter adult longevity indicating the prevalence of antibiosis in the variety. Lesser number of eggs laid, longer pre-oviposition period and shorter oviposition period recorded on Kanakom indicate the antixenosis factor in it. Macrpterous forms of BPH did not develop on the variety . The predator C. lividipennis and Micraspis sp. fed more BPH when reared on the resistant variety. The veliid bug M. d. atrolineata, the spider L. pseudoannulata and the dryinid Pseudogonatopus sp. predated significantly more BPH nymphs on resistant variety at a higher prey density only. However, the dryinid parasitoid consumed significantly fewer number of hoppers on Kanakom at the higher host density. C. lividipennis recorded longer nymphal duration, shorter adult longevity and low fecundity when fed on BPH reared on Kanakom which can be attributed to the low fecundity of N. lugens on Kanakom leading to less availability of food to the mirid. Nymphal duration and adult longevity of C. lividipennis did not vary between the varieties Jaya and Jyothi. Well developed bundle sheath with more frequently distributed schlerenchyma tissue in the culm of the resistant variety seemed to impart resistance in Kanakom along with thicker cuticle. Higher amounts of silica, Zn and Mn and lower amounts of N, K, Ca and Mg were recorded in the culm of the resistant variety compared to moderately resistant and susceptible varieties. The findings strongly suggest the mechanism of antibiosis and antixenosis in the resistant variety Kanakom.
Insect pests of Chromolaena odorata (Eupatorium odoratum)
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1987) Lyla, K R; Joy, P J; Abraham, C C
Metabolic changes in siamweed, Chromolaena odorata induced by feeding of weed killer, Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata (Arctiidae: Lepidoptera)
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 2001) Lyla, K R; Abraham, C C; Joy, P J
The arctiid caterpillar, Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata Rego Barros, has been identified as a potential bio-control agent of the Siam weed, Chromolaena odorata King and Robinson. The present studies were to assess the metabolic changes in the plants induced by larval feeding. The total nitrogen content in leaf samples showed significant variations on 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, and 15th days after releasing variable number of Pareuchaetes larvae. Total nitrogen was maximum in the leaves, on the sixth day of release of four larvae per plant. Leaf nitrogen showed a declining trend when the larval load per plant was increased from the eighth day of release onwards. The nitrogen content was the least on 15th day after release of twelve larvae. Nitrate nitrogen content showed an increasing trend with increasing number of larvae and days after release. Chlorophyll content in the leaves got reduced significantly with increased larval population load in plants and with the passage of time of confinement of larvae.
Natural enemies on Mikania micrantha H.B.K. in Kerala
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 2002) Mini, Abraham; Abraham, C T; Joy, P J
Laboratory and field investigations were conducted to identify the natural enemies of Mikania micrantha H.B.K. and to evaluate their efficacy as biocontrol agents. During a survey on the distribution of Mikania in Kerala, pests seen on this weed were collected. Nineteen species of insect pests and a species of mite belonging to 15 families and eight orders were identified. Nature and extent of damage caused by these different pests on Mikania were studied. Among them tea mosquito bug (Helopeltis theivora) caused serious damage on Mikania. All these pests are polyphagous in nature. So further scope for utilizing them as biocontrol agent is limited.
New record of Leptoglossus Australis (Fabr) as a pest of Bittergourd in Kerala
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1986) Lyla, K R; Joy, P J; Peter, K V
Occurrence of Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar) as an internal borer in banana peduncles
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1986) Job Sathyakumar Charles; Abraham, C C; Joy, P J; Varkey, P A
On the biology of Derispia mayae Chatterji, Sarup & Menon (Tenebrionidae: Coleoptera)
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1973) Joy, P J; Nair, M R G K
On the occurrence of different species of rats in Kerala
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1980) George, C M; Joy, P J; Abraham, C C
On the occurrence of Nisia Atrovenosa Lethierry (Homoptera : Menoplidae) on Pistia stratiotes Linn. (Fam. Araceae) in India
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1978) Joy, P J
On the occurrence of Teleonemia Scrupulosa stal. (Hemiptera Tingidae) on lantana from Kerala
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1977) Joy, P J
Pest complex infesting cashew inflorescence
(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1981) Bala Subramaniyam, B; Joy, P J
To study the pest complex infesting cashew inflorescence in Kerala, a detailed survey has been conducted in different parts during the period from November 1980 to April 1981. Various pests infesting cashew inflorescence in different localities, their seasonal fluctuations and nature of damage are summerised below.
Population fluctuations of aphid pests of Chromolaena Odorata (Eupatorium Odoratum) in Kerala
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1985) Lyla, K R; Joy, P J; Abraham, C C
In studies on the population fluctuations of the aphidpesfsof Chromolaena odorata Linn, in the plains and medium hilly localities of Trichur district (Kerala State), it was found that Aphis spiraecola Patch and Aphis fabae Scopoli occurred at peak levels in July in both situations, the diversity of occurrence per unit area being also higher in July. Brachycaudus helichrysi KItb. occurred at higher elevations of the Idukki, Wynad districts causing complete damage to the plants. Nymphs and adults of A. spiraecola and A. fabae fed on tender leaves and shoots causing severe leaf crinkling. Consequent on feeding by B. helichrysi the leaves became rolled and the entire plants showed wilting symptoms. As candidates for the bio-control of C. odorata in Kerala, these aphids do not appear to be quite promising.
Redescriptions of three oriental species of brachymeria westwood (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae)
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1972) Joseph, K J; Narendran, T C; Joy, P J