Variations in population of lac associated fauna in relation to different lac host plants, lac insect strains and seasons of cultivation

Abstract

The present study was attempted to look in to variations in lac insect associated fauna in relation to different lac host plants for both kusmi and rangeeni strains of Indian lac insect, Kerria lacca (Kerr.) during 2012-2015. Among the fauna associated with lac insect, Tachardiaephagus tachardiae (How.) and Aprostocetus purpureus (Cam.) population were significantly higher during the month of November (14.7 and 62.7 respectively) and higher in Ziziphus mauritiana (ber) (50.2) during katki crop. During baisakhi crop, rangeeni strain these two associated fauna were significantly higher in the month of March (4.3 and 11.9, respectively). Parasitization recorded was significantly higher (9.5) on Butea monosperma (palas) followed by ber and red gram, is one of the major reasons of lac insect mortality at sexual maturity period during baisakhi crop. During jethwi crop of kusmi strain, T. tachardiae and Eublemma amabillis populations were significantly more in the month of August (12.5 and 8.6, respectively). Highest population of A. purpureus was recorded in the month of August (10.6) on ber followed by Schleichera oleosa (kusum). Population of T. tachardiae and A. purpureus were recorded maximum in the month of October (17.0 & 20.0), respectively. Among the three host plants (ber, semialata and kusum), T. tachardiae (3.3), A. purpureus (12.6) and E. amabillis were recorded more on semialata during aghani crop. The study concludes that the abundance of the parasitoids, predators and hyper parasitoids varied considerably with respect to the lac hosts, seasons of crop and the strain of lac insect. Occurrence of parasitization at the time of crop maturity and the sexual maturity period affects quality of broodlac and leads to crop failure, respectively.