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Technique of mass multiplication ofTenobracon deesae (Cam.) hymenoptera: Braconidæ for use against sugarcane and maize borers

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Proceedings / Indian Academy of Sciences

Summary

Stenobracon deesæ (Cam.) is a potentially effective larval parasite of sugarcane and maize borers.

The equipment and methods used in the mass propagation of the parasite,S. deesæ, are described in some detail. A suitable laboratory host for the propagation of the parasite in the laboratory has been discovered in the larva of the Rice moth,Corcyra cephalonica Stn. The method of exposing the factitious host (Corcyra) in artificial tunnels prepared in sugarcane stem is described. Fersh frass of the natural hosts (Chilo orArgyria) is used to stimulate the female parasite to oviposit on the factitious host, in the laboratory. Laboratory-bred alternate host material is supplemented by field collected natural hosts.

It was found that a single parasite grub requires more than oneCorcyra larva to complete its development.Corcyra larva previously paralysed by another braconid parasite (Bracon gelechiæ), is given to the parasite grub, one by one until it becomes full fed.

The percentage of females bred onCorcyra is very low and one of the main factors responsible for this, appears to be the nutritionally incomplete quality of the host-supporting medium. The normal percentage of females is restored by putting theCorcyra- bred adults to oviposit and breed on the natural hosts.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Entomology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi

    E. S. Narayanan & T. V. Venkatraman

Authors
  1. E. S. Narayanan
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  2. T. V. Venkatraman
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Additional information

Communicated by Dr. S. V. Desai,f.a.sc.

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Narayanan, E.S., Venkatraman, T.V. Technique of mass multiplication ofTenobracon deesae (Cam.) hymenoptera: Braconidæ for use against sugarcane and maize borers. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. 36, 12–18 (1952). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03052459

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03052459

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