Biodiversity of natural enemies in Rice under Siang belt of Arunachal Pradesh

Rice is the staple food crop and is grown extensively in North East Hill region of India. Insect-pests take a heavy toll of rice crop in Siang belt of Arunachal Pradesh resulting in losses in grain yields ranging from 10-51%. Insect specific predators and parasites used in biological control acts as natural biological control agents for these insect pests in the region. Keeping in view the above facts, roving field surveys were conducted in Kharif season of years 2015-2019 to identify natural enemy diversity (Predators and parasitoids) prevalent in rice in rainfed rice cropping system of five districts (East Siang, West Siang, Upper Siang, Lower Siang and Siang) of Arunachal Pradesh, falling under Siang belt of Arunachal Pradesh. The results revealed that as many as Twenty nine species of predators belonging to 20 genera under 15 families of 6 orders were recorded in traditional and improved rice growing belt under rainfed rice cropping system of Siang belt of Arunachal Pradesh. Damsel flies, Dragon flies, long horned grasshopper, Lynx spiders, Plant and leaf bugs and Wolf spiders were recorded in high numbers, whereas Ground beetles, Lady bird beetles, Long jawed spiders, Orb spiders, Ripple bugs and Sword bearing crickets were recorded in moderate numbers. Earwigs, Rove beetles and Sac spiders were recorded low in numbers. Among parasites, twenty six species (identified) and 4 unidentified species belonging to 18 genera under 10 families of Hymenoptera order were recorded. Genus Apanteles, Telenomus, Trichogramma and Xanthopimpla were recorded in high numbers, whereas Amuromorpha, Anagrus, Anastatus, Bracon, Cotesia, Stenobracon, Temelucha and Tetrastichus were recorded in moderate numbers. Genus Aphanogmus, Brachymeria, Elasmus, Gonatocerus, Isotima and Oligosita were recorded low in number.