Imran Bodlah*, Muhammad Naeem and Tasleem Akhter
Department of Entomology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

*Corresponding author: e-mail: imranbodlah@gmail.com

Abstract

Tinocallis kahawaluokalani (Kirkaldy) (Homoptera: Aphididae) is recorded from Pothohar tract of Punjab Province of Pakistan from different localities on Lagerstroemia indica L. A taxonomic note along with necessary measurements is discussed. Drawings of important characters are given. Its host range, world distribution and distribution in Pakistan have been given. Information regarding the natural enemies of this aphid pest has also been given.                                                               

Keywords: Tinocallis kahawaluokalani, Morphology, Natural enemies, Pakistan

Muhammad Asif Aziz1*, Ayesha Iftkhar1 and Muhammad Hanif2
1Department of Entomology, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan
2Department of Mathematics and Statistics, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan

*Corresponding author: e-mail: asifaziz572@gmail.com

Abstract

The life table of Trilocha virescence was constructed in the laboratory which is a serious Lepidopterous pest of Ficus nitida. The study declared different impact of larval and adult mortality on the population. Pre reproductive mortality was 30% and 70 percent of the individuals’ survived upto the maturity and took part in reproduction. Larval mortality was greater in 1st instar than all other stages. No mortality was observed in 4th and 5th larval instar in subsequent stages. High mortality during 1st instar may exert significant negative effect on the insect population and may be best used for applying control tactics. The net reproductive rate of the insect was 45.44 per individual per generation.

Keywords: Trilocha virescence, Stage specific, Life expectancy, Mortality rate, Survivorship

Imran Bodlah* and Muhammad Waqar
Department of Entomology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan

*Corresponding author: e-mail: imranbodlah@gmail.com

Abstract

The forging activity of insect pollinators visiting the summer vegetables i.e. Ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula), Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.) and Eggplant or Brinjal (Solanum melongena) observed. Two orders Hymenoptera and Diptera were identified as the major pollinators of these vegetables. The order Hymenoptera include six species (Apis Sp., Bombus sp., Xylocopa sp., Halictus sp. and two unidentified species 1 from Halictidae family and 1 from Megachilidae families) and order diptera include there 3 species of pollinators (Eristalinus sp. and 1 un-identified specie from family Syrphidae and Muscidae each). The foraging rate was much higher early in the morning i.e. 6-7 am. Ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula) have the more abundant number of insects pollinating it followed by Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) and Brinjal (Solanum melongena). The total number if insect pollinators show that the order hymenoptera include the most abundant number of insect pollinators.

Keywords: Pollinators, Summer vegetables, Ridge gourd, Bitter gourd, Brinjal

Muhammad Aamir1, Ana Aslam1, Muhammad Yahya Khan1, Muhammad Usman Jamshaid1, Maqshoof Ahmad2, Hafiz Naeem Asghar1* and Zahir Ahmad Zahir1
1 Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
2 University College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan

*Corresponding author: e-mail: naeemasghar@yahoo.com

Abstract

Salinity stress severely affects the growth, nodulation and yield of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.). However, its growth can be improved under salinity stress by inoculation/co-inoculation with rhizobia and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) containing 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase enzyme. ACC-deaminase containing bacteria regulate the stress induced ethylene production by hydrolyzing the ACC (immediate precursor of ethylene) into ammonia and
ketobutyric acid, thus improve plant growth by lowering the ethylene level. A study was conducted under salt affected field conditions where pre-isolated strains of Rhizobium and PGPR were used alone as well as in combination for mitigating the salinity stress on growth, nodulation and yield of mung bean by following the randomized complete block design (RCBD). The data were recorded and analyzed statistically to see the difference among treatments.

Keywords: ACC-deaminase, salt stress, rhizobia, legume, Vigna radiata L.

Munir Ahmad1*, Abdul Ghaffar2 and Muhammad Rafiq2
1Pir Mehr Ali Shah, Arid Agriculture University, Murree Road, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
2Entomology Section, Central Cotton Research Institute, Old Shujabad Road, Multan Pakistan

*Corresponding author: e-mail: maqmunir@gmail.com

Abstract

Spodoptera litura is a notorious leaf feeding insect pest of more than one hundred plants around the Asia-Pacific region. Host plant survey for two years from three different locations in cotton belt revealed 27 plant species as host plants of S. litura belonging to 25 genera of 14 families including cultivated crops, vegetables, weeds, fruits and ornamental plants. Major host plants on which it thrived for maximum period were Gossypium hirsutum L., Ricinus communis L., Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L., Colocasia esculenta L., Trianthema portulacastrum L. and Sesbania sesban L.. Eggs were also collected from tree plants but larvae did not complete their development. Reliance of S. litura on major plant species of cultivated crops necessitates their regular monitoring especially during March to April for their population abundance and early warning for their management on commercial crops like cotton.

Keywords: Spodoptera litura, host selection, major host plants, host preference