IPM tools & techniques know-howi) A field kit for the multiplication of eggs and insect larval parasitoids ii) Preparation of Corcyra rearing cages and related accessories for lab

Background:
The mass rearing of insects has become essential for implementing eco-friendly bio-intensive pest management strategy. To implement IPM strategy, the bio-control agents (parasitoids, predators and bio-pesticides) are required in large quantities. Rice meal moth, Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) (Lepidoptera:Pyralidae) a store grain pest is an important laboratory host for rearing a variety of bio-control agents. The important among them are egg. parasitoids Trichogramma spp.; egg-larval parasitoid Chelanus blackburni; larval parasitoids Bracon spp., Goniozus nephantidis, Apanteles spp.; insect predators Chrysoperla carnea, Mallada boniensis and Cyrtorhynus lividipennis. Besides these, entomo-pathogenic nematodes such as Steinernema feltine (Neoaplectana carpocapsea) are also multiplied upon this host insect. Mass production of this insect is a pre-requisite for the mass production of these bio-control agents. The bio-control agents’ use, however, has remained low due to a number of technological, socio-economic and institutional constraints.
Technology details:
A field kit for the multiplication of eggs and insect larval parasitoids - a technique to conserve the eggs and insect larval parasitoids in situ by the specialized provision made in the kit facilitates the work.
Preparation of Corcyra rearing cages and related accessories for lab. Fool-prrof rearing of Rice meal moth, Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) a store grain pest is an important laboratory host for rearing a variety of bio-control agents.