The book finds particular mention for rearing techniques of 43 insect species comprising 14 laboratory hosts (cutworms, bollworms, aphids, mealy bugs, meal moth, pyrrhocorid), 17 predators (aphidophagous and coccophagous cpccoinellids, chrysophids, anthocorids) and 12 parasitoids (trichogrammatids, scelionids, braconids, ichneumonids, encyrtids, eulophids and teachnids0 either on alternate host or artificial diets. The comprehensive information on a few promising semi-synthetic diets, mass production and field utilization of important microbial bio-control agents including role of Bacillus thuringiensis genes in developing transgenic crops is also included. 18 simple practical exercises on biological control are designed herewith and supported with a chapter covering immature stages of the parasitoids and predators, which supplements theoretical part of exercises. The book further highlights the constraints in adoption of biological control, relevant terminology, establishment of research & Commercial insectaries, simple collection, preservation and shipment of bio-agents besides diverse aspects of procedures in biological pest suppression viz., introduced natural enemies, foreign agencies involved, augmentation, colonization & conservation, important crop pests, weeds and their bio-agents. Also, procedure for computation of cost of production, proforma development by commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux, U.K. for Insect identification services, registration requirements/ guidelines for bio-control agents as introduced by the government followed by a list of microbial products registered under Insecticide act, 1968, in India are appended. The material is comprehensive, mainly with indigenous examples, original drawing and photographs.
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