Impact of Innundative Releases of Bio Agents in the Management of Coconut Black Headed Caterpillar Opisina arenosella in Andhra Pradesh under Out Break Conditions

Abstract

The coconut black headed caterpillar Opisina arenosella Walker is a major pest of the coconut and its regular incidence without break under favourable conditions was recorded in coastal Andhra Pradesh from decades and one of the earliest organized attempts for biological control was against this pest in India. Among the important bio agents the most promising bio agents against O. arenosella are larval parasitoids Bracon hebetor, Goniozus nephantidis, pupal parasitoid Brachymeria nosatoi and anthocorid predator Cardiastethus exiguus. Large scale field demonstration of biological control of coconut black headed caterpillar O. arenosella was taken up in the black headed caterpillar affected gardens in eight villages in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh during the severe incidence of this pest from October 2011 – June 2013. A total of 22.60 lakh bio agents were mass multiplied in laboratory and systematically supplied to farmers for stage specific release in the infested gardens. The pre release larval population ranging from 71.9 to 168.9 per 10 leaflets in the affected villages completely decreased after innundative bio agents release in three to six months after release .