Andrena (Sauandrena) subgenus of genus, Andrena is represented in India by a single species savigneyi Spinola, 1838. The male and female of this species has been redescribed with additional characters and illustrations.
Field evaluation of the bio-efficacy of pre-mix insecticide fipronil 15% + emamectin benzoate 5% WDG along with traditional insecticides as foliar spray against chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis and fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera was undertaken at district seed farm (AB block) of BCKV, located at Kalyani, West Bengal and in a farmer's field at Kakdwip (24 Parganas South), West Bengal respectively under irrigated conditions with a HYV chilli cultivar “Bullet”. The treatment at higher dosages (500, 750 and 1000 ml/ha) followed by lower dose 400 ml/ha was superior over standard check treatments fipronil 5% SC and emamectin benzoate 5% SG. The highest yield was obtained in case of higher dosages (16.15–18.00 q/ha). The survival of thrips was minimum in treatments with high dosages with mean ranging from 2.25–2.87 number of thrips/leaf. It was relatively safe to important natural enemies like Menochilus sp. and Coccinella sp.
This study showed that adults of the Painted bug Bagrada hilaris appeared on radish and rapeseed crops in the fourth week of October, and the population density of adults fluctuated in response to environmental conditions such as temperature and relative humidity with the population density of adults reaching its peak on radish crops in the third week of November, while it peaked in the second week of January on rapeseed crops; the insect then disappeared in the first week of February as temperatures dropped and the crops matured. In case of nymphal stage, their population density showed two peaks both on radish crop as well on the rapeseed crop. The insect did not appear on the cabbage or cauliflower crops, either in the adult or nymphal stage, which may be attributed to the presence of the insect’s preferred crops, namely radish and rapeseed.
The present investigation evaluated the effects of vitamin C and vitamin E supplementation on the growth, rearing performance, and cocoon quality of the muga silkworm (Antheraea assamensis Helfer) during the Jarua crop (December 2023 - January 2024). Som (Persea bombycina) leaves were treated with 1% vitamin solutions during the 4th and 5th larval instars. Key parameters studied included larval duration, mature larval weight, effective rate of rearing (ERR), cocoon weight, shell weight, and shell ratio. Results revealed that vitamin supplementation significantly influenced biological and economic traits compared with control. Vitamin C treatment produced the shortest larval duration (45 ± 0.41 days), highest larval weight (8.56 ± 0.831 g), ERR (64%), cocoon weight (3.765 ± 0.430 g), and shell ratio (8.818%). Vitamin E showed moderate improvement, whereas untreated larvae recorded the lowest values. The findings suggest that vitamin C supplementation enhances productivity and cocoon quality in muga sericulture.
This study reports the first occurrence of the species Doloessa hilaropis (Meyrick, 1897) in India, based on specimens recorded from Edapally, Ernakulam district, Kerala. The limited information available on D. hilaropis reflects the broader inadequacy of taxonomic and ecological studies on many moth taxa in India. With only a few documented records and a lack of comprehensive investigations, important aspects such as its biology, habitat preferences, and ecological significance remain poorly understood. Previously, the known geographical distribution of D. hilaropis was restricted to Thailand and Queensland, Australia. The present record considerably extends the known range of the species and contributes to the growing knowledge of the genus Doloessa in India.
