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Research

Thrust Areas
Biosystematics (including larval and molecular taxonomy)
  • IARI, New Delhi
  • NBAII, Bengaluru
Semiochemicals and Sealer cum healer technology
  • IIHR, Bengaluru
  • NBAII, Bengaluru
Insecticide Resistance Management
  • IIHR, Bengaluru
  • NBAII, Bengaluru
  • IIVR, Varanasi
Biodiversity and Geo-mapping
  • All Institutes/Centre

Major activities of the project

  • Surveillance, distribution maps and Predictive modelling -Surveillance of borer in different regions of the country and mapping the same using GIS/GPS. Developing models to predict incidence and spread using SPSS statistical package. Collection, mass rearing, biosystematics (morphometry and molecular) of new borers, bar-coding grubs/larvae. Pest risk analysis of potential invasive borers that can enter through wood logs from neighbouring countries to develop alert models on their entry.
  • Bio-ecological studies- includes life tables of new borers, identification of mortality and  prolificity, life history of new borers, or on new hosts, mating behaviour, flight pattern, emergence cycles, oviposition strategies (random/ non random/ preferential  niches) moulting cycles, juvenile niche requirements, pupation and phenological durations.
  • Population dynamics- Studies on regional and temporal variations and identification of independent variables that affect dynamics through stepwise regressions, non-linear models (eg. SPSS Statistical package) and integrating this into prediction models.
  • Chemical Ecology studies- Identification and bioassay of semio-chemicals- Investigating host-plant parts for their volatiles/ metabolites that serve to enhance host orientation selection, oviposition stimulation, phytophagy, gustatory stimulation.  In addition, antifeedants, repellents etc from non-host plants will be explored. Identification of active biofractions by gas chromatography linked to electrophysiology (GC-EAD) and identification of chemicals by gas chromatography linked to mass spectrometry (GC-MS).  Electrophysiological studies to determine biological activity of isolated/synthetic compounds- studying attraction and other behaviour responses. Bioassays to understand the interactions/ response of target pests to conspecific individuals and natural enemies; Synthesis of bioactive fractions and standardization of blends; Laboratory bioassays for determining long and short range attraction of potential cues; Pilot scale multilocational field studies to confirm the field efficacy of identified semiochemicals for management programs.
  • Host-plant resistance- Plant defence against insects is mediated in part by an array of constitutive and inducible chemical resistance factors. Apart from these constitutive defences that form direct defence strategy of plants against herbivores, plants also employ indirect defences through emitting herbivore induced plant volatiles (HIPV) that affect natural enemies of pests.  Experiments will be conducted to understand these direct and indirect defences, their role in influencing the incidence of borer infestation levels and their critical interactions at different trophic levels to design effective pest management strategies popularly called ‘push-pull’ strategies or ‘Stimulo-Deterrent Diversionary Strategies’ (SDDS).  In addition sources of resistance will be exploited in breeding programmes
  • Bio-control methodologies- Several Biological Control Agents (BCAs) do attack the borers under natural conditions.  Identifying, characterizing and utilizinging these BCAs against plant borers will help to strengthen the current IPM programs in long run.  Screening of promising viral, fungal and bacterial isolates, standardizing the mass culturing protocols, studying the field efficacy, formulation standardization, shelf life studies, procurement of data requirements for registration of developed formulations, etc. 
  • Asphyxiation techniques- Bored holes injure the bark/ tissues and attract a complex of  decay fungus which coexist within the tunnels in the host. These will be sealed to cause mortality to larvae due to asphyxiation and eliminate decay. Post treatment attempts will be made to rejuvenate barks/tissue to restore the health of bored trees. Towards such formulation (with botanicals, resins/gums, micronutrition for different plants)  will be attempted , tested, field evaluated and transferred as sealer cum healer technology. Results at IIHR on mango have showed encouraging results. Studies on target specific delivery systems for application and commercialization. 
  • Protease inhibitor studies-Isolation of insect neuropeptides on the basis of their potential inhibitory control and disruption of any step leading to biosynthesis of neuropeptides, their modification during storage, their release into the haemolymph as well as their interaction with the target-cell membrane-bound receptors for a novel neuropeptide based insect control strategy (fourth generation insecticides).
  • Web-portal design:  for developing a single window source of information  on borers
  • Standardizing management Protocols- Developing farmer-friendly borer management packages and popularization, with emphasis in green management.
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