MM3.1: Emerging and key pests: their characterization, taxonomy, genetic diversity and control

The introduction of insect resistant GM (genetically modified) cotton, especially Bt-cotton represents the latest of the various methods being constantly deployed to flight the insect does not control any of the sucking pests of cotton. The Bt-cotton currently released in India is only moderately toxic to the leaf eating caterpillar Spodoptera. Over the past five years, coincidentally after the introduction of Bt-cotton, cotton cultivators in India have been facing new problems with insect pest management in many parts of the country, mostly as a consequence of low insecticide usage. New sucking pests have emerged as major pests causing significant economic losses. It is known that the usage of synthetic pyrethroids for bollworm control had significant negative impact on the incidental populations of Spodoptera spp. and several other miscellaneous bugs such as the mired bugs, Creontiodes biseratence (Distant), Ragmus sp. And mealy bugs. The reduction of pyrethroids and several conventional insecticides on Bt-cotton is presumed to have led to an enhanced infestation of several non-target species such as mired bugs, mealy bugs, thrips and Spodoptera litura. Apart from the reports of enhanced disease problems such as grey mildew, leaf spots and rust, a new report of tobacco leaf streak virus damage in cotton, was alarming. Research programmes have been formulated to document species, to characterize intra-specific population genetic diversity and variation through molecular tools, to record occurance and seasonal dynamics; to assess the damage potential of each of the emerging pests; to conduct ecosystem analysis, cultivar association and elucidation of resurgence; to evaluate effective control methods (bio-pesticides, biological control and insecticides) and identify the most eco-friendly management strategy for integration into IPM strategies.

OBJECTIVES

• To document occurance, seasonal dynamics and assessment of damage potential
• To conduct ecosystem analysis, cultivar association and elucidation of resurgence
• To identify species through conventional taxonomy and comparison with type specimens.
• To analyze population genetic diversity through 16sr RNA, CO-II of Mitochondrial genome analysis and fatty acid profiles to detect most virulent sub-species, races or biotypes.
• To evaluate effective control methods (bio-pesticides, biological control and insecticides) and identify the most eco-friendly management strategy for integration into IPM strategies.

Name of the Lead Center : CICR, Nagpur

Co-operating Centers: CICR (RS), Sirsa, CICR (RS), Coimbatore; PAU, Faridkot; HAU, Hisar; RAU, Sriganganagar; JNKVV, Khandwa; MAU, Parbhani; NAU, Surat; UAS, Dharwad, ANGRAU, Warangal, ANGRAU, Lam, ANGRAU, Nandyal, IARI, New Delhi