SURVEY AND DOCUMENTATION OF NATURAL ENEMIES OF MARUCA VITRATA (GEYER) IN PULSE GROWING AREAS OF COIMBATORE AND PUDUKKOTTAI DISTRICTS

Abstract

An extensive survey was made at different pulse growing blocks of Coimbatore District viz., Annur, Karamadai, Madhukkarai, Periyanayakkanpalayam, Pollachi, Sulur, Thondamuthur, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) - Orchard and Pudukkottai District viz., Arantangi, Gandarvakottai, Karambakudi, Thirumayam, Thiruvarankulam and National Pulses Research Centre (NPRC), Vamban on the incidence of natural enemies of Maruca vitrata. Survey revealed that the level of parasitism of legume pod borer under field conditions ranged from 0.00 to 30.00 per cent. Highest parasitization of 30.00 per cent was recorded in National Pulses Research Centre, Vamban. Ponnaviduthi village of Karambakudi block in Pudukkottai district recorded the second highest parasitization of 20.00 per cent followed by Irumborai village of Karamadai block in Coimbatore district. During the survey, four larval parasitoids belonging to the families viz., Braconidae and Ichneumonidae were recorded. The braconid parasitoids that were recorded include Bassus sp. and Phanerotoma sp.