EFFECT OF PLANT-BASED AND SOME OF THE SELECTIVE CHEMICAL INSECTICIDES ON NATURAL PARSITIZATION OF CASTOR SEMILOOPER, ACHAEA JANATA IN CASTOR ECOSYSTEM.

Among the eight treatments (plant-based and selective chemical insecticides) imposed on castor against lepidopteran defoliators of castor exhibited significant variation (p £ 0.01; F-value = 5.199) with respect to natural parasitization of castor semi-looper. Among the eight treatments, natural parasitization was significantly highest (80.12%) in T1 (Cucumber + T. chilonis @ 2 lakh eggs/ha at 30 days after sowing (DAS)) followed by T0 (Control) (76.08%). Further, T7 (Pongamia oil @ 2%) (74.39%), T3 (Profenophos 50 EC @ 0.03%) (74.14%), T6 (Neem oil @ 2%) (71.46%), T5 (Mahuva oil @ 2%) (71.19%) and T2 (Fenvalerate 20 EC @ 0.02%) (69.64%) were found next in the order with respect to natural parasitization of castor semi-looper. Significantly lowest natural parasitization was recorded in T4 (Quinalphos 25 EC @ 0.05%) (63.07%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]