Complete Genome Analysis of a Novel Picorna-Like Virus From a Ladybird Beetle, Cheilomenes Sexmaculata

The ladybird beetle Cheilomenes sexmaculata (family Coccinellidae, order Coleoptera), is a common insect predator of agricultural pests. In this study, the full genome sequence of a novel picorna-like virus, temporarily named “Cheilomenes sexmaculata picorna-like virus 1” (CSPLV1), was identified from C. sexmaculata. The full-length sequence of CSPLV1 was 11,384 nucleotide (nt) in length (excluding the polyA tail) with one predicted open reading frame (ORF) encoding 3727 amino acids, a 13 nt 5' untranslated region (UTR) and a 187 nt 3' UTR. The ORF of CSPLV1 consisted of four distinct domains including an RNA virus helicase domain (3029-3319 nt), a peptidase domain (5555-6121 nt), an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase domain (7154-8101 nt) and a picorna-like coat protein domain (8606-9283nt). Phylogenetic analysis based on the conserved RdRP sequence showed that CSPLV1, together with Wuhan house centipede virus 3, Hypera postica associated virus 1 and Diabrotica undecimpunctata virus 1, formed as an unclassified group which is closely related to the clade Solinviviridae. To the best of our knowledge, CSPLV1 is the first picorna-like virus revealed in C. sexmaculata.

INSECTICIDAL EVALUATION OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF INDIGENOUS PLANTS IN COMPARISON WITH SYNTHETIC INSECTICIDE FOR THE MANAGMENENT OF THRIPS Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysnaoptera; Thripidae) IN TOMATO CROP

Insecticidal evaluation of aqueous extracts of indigenous plant extracts in comparison with synthetic insecticide against Thrips (Scirotothrips dorsalis) on tomato was conducted under natural field condition during spring 2019. Experiment consists of 8 treatments (neem extract, tobacco extract, garlic extract, datura extract, lantana extract, eucalyptus extract, flonicamid (synthetic insecticide) and control following RCB Design with 3 replications. Treatments were applied thrice after 15 days interval. Results revealed that the three times application of the tested treatments showed varying toxicity against S. dorsalis 24, 48, 72 hours and 7 days after spray applications while ladybird beetle and green lacewing were also significantly affected when recorded 7 days after spray application. However, Flonicamid 50%WG proved to be the most effective till 7th and had lowest pest population followed datura and neem extract. neem extract in all the three spray application . Garlic and eucalyptus also produced significant results compared to control. Neem, tobacco, datura and flonicamid were found to be comparatively more hazardous to ladybird beetle and green lacewing population compared to eucalyptus, garlic and lantana to in all three spray application. Tomato yield was highest with flonicamid (12533 kg/ha) followed by datura and neem (11810 kg/ha and 11300 kg/ha) respectively, while lowest (8133 kg/ha) in control. It is concluded from the current research that flonicamid performed better against S. dorsalis but comparatively more hazardous to natural enemies however lantana, garlic and eucalyptus extract showed better result against S. dorsalis and comparatively safe towards natural enemies thus recommended to be incorporated in IPM program.

Diversity of Arthropods and Population Dynamics of Diamondback Moth Visiting Organically Cultivated Cabbage

The biodiversity of insects visiting cabbage and population dynamics of diamondback moth was studies on Golden acre variety of cabbage. The experiment was conducted at experimental plot of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Morabadi, Ranchi, during October to January, 2018-19. During the experiment, Bihar hairy caterpillar, Diamondback moth, Cabbage aphid, Cabbage maggot, Cabbage butterfly, Tobacco caterpillar, Ladybird beetle, Rice bug, Cricket and Spider were noticed. The population of diamondback moth was positively correlated with maximum, minimum, average temperature and maximum relative humidity and negatively correlated with minimum RH, wind speed; rainfall. The highest larval population of was recorded during 1st week of January (1st Standard Meteorological Week, SMW).