Rice insect pests and their natural enemies complex in different rice ecosystem of Cauvery command areas of Karnataka

Abstract

Fixed plot survey carried out during Kharif season (August to December) 2013 for insect pests and natural enemies complex of paddy ecosystem in different location of Cauvery command areas of Mandya district (nearby Vishveshvaraiah canal farm, Mandya). Among the pests, yellow stem borer, plant hoppers, gall midge and leaf folder were very severe and in case of predators, mirids and spiders were most important natural enemies. The average yield loss in rice has been estimated 21-51 %. The population of yellow stem borer was significantly positively correlated to Hymenopterans, Odonata and Staphylinids, whereas BPH is positively correlated with mirids (r=+0.770**), spider spider (r=+440*), odonatan (r=+0.700**), coccinellids (r=+0.476*), carabids (r=+0.779**) and cicindelids (r=+0.417*). In the same way white backed plant hopper, skipper, caseworm, hispa, blue beetle & grass hopper recorded positive significant and positive non-significant with the predators and parasitoids.