Entomology- ICAR JRF/SRF 2024

• FAO Definition of IPM: Established by the FAO Panel of Experts on Integrated Pest Control (1967):

> "A pest management system that, in the context of associated environment and population dynamics of a pest species, utilizes all suitable techniques and methods in as compatible a manner as possible and maintains pest populations at levels below those causing economic injury."

• Core Principles:
• Stresses compatibility among control tactics (biological, cultural, physical, chemical).
• Emphasizes suppression below the Economic Injury Level (EIL), not eradication or species extinction.
• Correct Option: Option 2.

• Biological Control of Cotton Mealybug (Phenacoccus solenopsis):
• When the invasive Phenacoccus solenopsis devastated cotton crops across India in 2006–2008, the solitary endoparasitoid Aenasius arizonensis Girault (formerly misidentified/known as Aenasius bambawalei Hayat, Encyrtidae) naturally adapted, providing parasitism rates exceeding $60 - 80\%$.
• It remains the single most dominant, efficacious, and widespread bio-agent suppressing P. solenopsis across India.
• Correct Option: Option 2 (Aenasius arizonensis).

• Sorghum Shoot Fly (Atherigona soccata): Belongs to the family Muscidae (Diptera).
• Target Crop Stage: Strictly infests sorghum during the seedling phase from 1 week up to 4 weeks (maximum 30 days) after germination.
• Damage Mechanism: Maggots enter the leaf sheath, sever the growing point, and feed on decaying tissue, inducing characteristic rotten-smelling "dead hearts" and excessive tiller production. After 30 days, seedling stem lignification prevents penetration.
• Chilo partellus: Attacks sorghum during later vegetative and reproductive growth.
• Correct Option: Option 2 (Atherigona soccata).