– 560 065

AICRP on White grubs (1980)

AINP on Soil Arthropod Pests (2000)

• Species profiling of major scarabs from different agro-climatic regions
• Monitoring of soil arthropod pests in different cropping systems
• Taxonomic studies & identification service on Indian Scarabaeidae
• Biogeography of major white grubs and termites
• Management of white grubs, termitesand other soil pests

v    Species profiling of major scarabs from different agro-climatic regions

Light traps were used to obtain samples from different locations.  Modified Robinson’s light traps with 165 W mercury vapour lamp were operated at weekly intervals from 6 pm to 6.00 am in different parts of the habitats across the state/country. The larvae of different species of white grubs were also collected from the field and reared to obtain adult beetles. Corresponding weather data pertaining to Temperature, Relative Humidity, Rainfall, etc. were also recorded and analysed with the adult activity pattern.Data were suitablyanalysed to determine species diversityand abundance.

v    Monitoring of soil arthropod pests in different cropping systems

Survey for incidence of white grubs and other soil arthropods in various crops from different agro-ecological conditions. Abundance of soil arthropod pests and extent of damage are monitored at regular intervals throughout the year.  Besides, non-arthropod pests like slugs and snails are also being recorded.

v    Monitoring of natural enemies of soil arthropods

Sampling different crop fields at regular interval to record natural enemies associate with different life stages of white grubs in endemic areas, also soil samples were collected from different crop fields, isolated entomopathogeneic fungi, bacteria and EPNs.

v    Taxonomic studies on Indian Scarabaeidae

Systematic collection of scarabs using various methods, faunistic studies, preparation of data-base, development of species distribution maps, bibliographic work, studying museum collection, identification service, etc.,

v    Biogeography of major white grubs and termites

Bioecologyand spatio-temporal distribution of major white grub species and termites with respect to soil type, altitude and rainfall pattern were analysed.

v    Management of white grubs, termites and other soil pests

Ø  Development of comprehensive management practices of sugarcane white grub, Holotrichiaserratain plains of Karnataka and integrated management strategies for arecanut white grubs, Leucopholis spp. in malnad and coastal Karnataka.

Ø  Development of IMP modules for termite management in sugarcane and other crops.

Ø  Development of management strategies against slugs, snails and other soil pests.

A. Taxonomic Studies on Scarabaeidae of India

1.      A total of30,000 specimens of Scarabaeoidea collected, processed and are currently being retained at the centre.

2.      Pictorial keys to identify the Scarabs at different levels of higher categories developed for easy identification of taxa.

3.      Check list of subfamily Melolonthinae of India developed that lists 992 species from the Indian Subcontinent including 532 species from Political India.

4.      Developed spatial distributional maps for major white grubs and termites in India.

B. Monitoring of Soil Arthropods

Studied the bio-geography of major white grubs of Karnataka.

Holotrichia serrata is a polyphagous white grub species distributed throughout the peninsula and in a few northern Indian states. The grub feeds on roots of cultivated crops for 6 to 8 months leading to significant economic losses to farmers. H. serrata found all over the Karnataka state, is severe on sugarcane in Bagalakote, Belagavi, Bengaluru, Chamarajanagar, Davanagere Hassan, Kolar, Mandya, Mysuru, Raichur and Tumkur districts. Apart from sugarcane it is a serious pest of vegetables, pulses, cereals and millets. This species also causes severe economic loss to groundnut in the south India.

Three species ofLeucopholisDejeanviz., Leucopholislepidophora Blanchard, L. burmeisteriBrenske and L. coneophoraBurmeister, are three important species of white grubs that cause significant economic losses to arecanut farmers in the high rainfall areas of Karnataka. Along the coastal area and the Western Ghats an estimated 1,86,000 hectares of arecanut is being cultivated and approximately 20 % of these farms suffer from white grub problem and in each farm irrespective of the size of the farm about 50 % of the area is significantly affected by white grubs.  Thus in all about 10 % of the area under cultivation of arecanut along the coastal area and the Western Ghats suffers from white grub problem. Besides, adult beetles of species belonging to the genera Anomala, MaladeraAdoretus, Schizonychaand Popillia damages flowers of rose, pigeonpea etc.,

C. Management of white grubs

1.      Developed comprehensive management practices of sugarcane and groundnut white grub, H.serratain plains of Karnataka.

2.      Developed a weather based adult beetle-emergence-prediction model for H.serrata.

3.      Developed a three pronged integrated management strategies for arecanut white grubs, Leucopholis spp. in malnad and coastal Karnataka.

4.      Isolated a native entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveriabrongniartii.

5.      Integrated management of Giant African snail, Lissachatinafulica(Bowdich, 1822).

6.      A comprehensive technology for the management of Crazy ant, Anoplolepislongipes.

Best Oral PresentationCertificate has been awarded during 5^th National Symposium on Plant Protection in Horticulture: Challenges and a Roadmap Ahead held at IIHR, Bengaluru from 27-29 December 2021.

v  The centre currently houses approximately 30,000 specimens of Scarabaeidae belonging to six subfamilies, representing 70 genera and 120 species. This is the 3^rd  largest collection of scarabs in the country by extent of diversity.

v  A green-house for maintenance of white grubs/soil arthropods.

v  Aunit for mass production of entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveriabrongniartii.

v  A molecular lab.

v  Microscopes and other laboratory instruments.

Dissemination of technologies

·         As part of transfer of technology various extension activities such as conducting training programes, farmers’ meet, demonstrations, exhibitions, field visits, participation in mass media etc., carried out at regular intervals.

·         Implementation of Tribal Sub Plan (TSP).

EPNs successfullymass produced under In vitro conditions on four artificial media such as 1.chickpea media, 2.chicken offal media, 3.chicken powder media, 4. Dog biscuit media.

EPNs found effective against the III instar larvae of H.serrata and L.lepidophora.