Studies on Species Diversity and Management of Major Lepidopteran Insect Pests of Acid Lime Through Organic Approaches

Abstract

Acid lime, Citrus aurantifolia is one of the important fruit crops grown in newlineNorthern Karnataka. The studies on survey, population dynamics, biology of citrus newlinebutterfly and organic approaches in the management of major lepidopteran insect pests newlineof acid lime were carried out at College of Agriculture, Vijayapura, Karnataka. An newlineextensive roving survey reported that occurrence of six insect pests, one non-insect pest newlineand four natural enemies in acid lime ecosystem. Among the different insect pests, newlinelepidopteran pests namely citrus butterfly and citrus leaf miner were found as key pests newlineof acid lime, while sucking insect pests viz., psyllids, blackfly, mealybug and aphids newlinewere found in low densities. The fixed plot survey indicated incidence of insect pests newlineduring different months in a year with temperature, relative humidity and rainfall as newlinemajor abiotic factors that significantly affected the incidence of insect pests on acid newlinelime. In addition, the density of insect pests greatly influenced on activity of natural newlineenemies viz., coccinellids, green lacewings and spiders. The comparative biology of two newlinecitrus butterfly species indicated that, Papilio demoleus and Papilio polytes completed newlinetheir development at faster rate during summer months, whereas development was newlinedelayed during winter months. The developmental duration of egg, larvae and pupae newlinewas significantly varied when two citrus butterfly species were reared during three newlinedifferent seasons. The temperature was found to be key factor that influenced on newlinedevelopment of these two citrus butterfly species. Further, in-situ vermiculturing with newlineE. eugeniae species of earthworms was found to reduce the incidence of citrus leaf newlineminer and citrus butterfly on acid lime by inducing tolerance of plants. The release newline