Effectiveness of Plant Oils for Bio-intensive Control of Uzi Fly Infestation in Mulberry Silkworm (Bombyx mori): A Comparative Study
Toko Naan *
Division of Sericulture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, 180009, India.
Rubi Sut
Department of Sericulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, 785013, India.
Bidisha Kashyap
Department of Sericulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, 785013, India.
Roshmi Borah Dutta
College of Sericulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, 785013, India.
Monimala Saikia
Department of Sericulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, 785013, India.
Inee Gogoi
Department of Entomology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, 785013, India.
Hemanta Saikia
Department of Agricultural Statistics, College of Sericulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, 785013, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A study was carried out to assess the effect of plant oils against the uzi fly (Exorista sorbillans Weidemann) and the mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori Louis), at three different concentrations: 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 percent. Among the treatments, 0.8 % of neem (Azadirachta indica) oil recorded reduced number of eggs laid (fecundity) (40.33), egg hatchability (46,00 %), and maggot recovery (34.00 %), followed by karanj (Pongamia pinnata) oil (54.00, 52,67 and 50.00%, respectively) and was statistically superior to control (114.33, 93.00% and 92%) and Nesolynx thymus (107.67, 90.00 and 89.00%). Significantly higher maggot (larvae) mortality was observed with 0.8 per cent neem oil (65.33 %), followed by karanj oil (35.33 %) compared to castor oil (24.67 %), and control treatment (11.00%). Spraying plant oil from neem and karanj, also drastically reduced the pupation rate %, adult emergence%, adult longevity, and fecundity of the uzi fly.
Keywords: Plant oils, uzi fly, silkworm, nesolynx thymus, treatments