An alternative host preference study by Oxya hyla  hyla (Orthoptera: Acrididae)– a non insecticidal  method of pest management

Manika Das; D. C. Ray

Volume : III, Issue : VIII, August - 2013

An alternative host preference study by Oxya hyla hyla (Orthoptera: Acrididae)– a non insecticidal method of pest management

Manika Das, D. C. Ray

Abstract :

Sixteen alternative host of O. hyla hyla were recorded from three study sites of Cachar District. Among them the most preferred food plants (8 nos.) were assessed against the pest species along with one rice cultivar (main host) to determine the per cent of feeding preference. It was found that Cynodon dactylon with 84.84% preference proved to be the highest feeding preferred host by the grasshopper species followed by rice cultivar (Narayan) (89.67%). Whereas A. compressus (72.55%) attained the second preferred host status. Most of the food plants showed preference values ranging from 51– 100 according to 0– 9 scale score of standard evaluation system. ANOVA indicated significant difference (p<0.05) in feeding preference by O. hyla hyla among all the food plants. Study proved that there alternative hosts has the high potentiality to manage the grasshopper species. Imperata cylindrica was proved to be the least preferred hosts (24.04%).