Mohd. Kamil Usmani

Bio: Mohd. Kamil Usmani is an academic researcher from Aligarh Muslim University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Genus & Tettigoniidae. The author has an hindex of 6, co-authored 30 publications receiving 90 citations.

Species Diversity and abundance of Grasshopper fauna (Orthoptera) in rice ecosystem

Abstract: Grasshoppers fauna were surveyed from Uttar Pradesh state of India during the consecutive years 2010 a nd 2011 from rice fields of both Rabi and Kharif season res pectively. 26 species of grasshoppers representing 14 genera belonging to 2 families, 8 sub families and 12 trib es have been recorded. Maximum diversity shown by f amily Acrididae (85%) followed by pyrgomorphidae (15%). A ll the species of genera Oxya, Hieroglyphus and Acr ida collected from field were found feeding on rice fol iage. Severe damage shown in the later stage of the crop growth by these species and hence may be considered as maj or pest of rice. Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa (Asian rice). As a cereal grain, it is the most im portant staple food for a large part of the world's human populati on, especially in Asia and the West Indies. India i s one of the world's largest producer of white rice, accounting for 20% of all world rice production. Rice is India 's preeminent crop, and is the staple food of the people of the e astern and southern parts of the country. Paddy fields are a common sight throughout India, be they be northern gangeti c plains or southern peninsular plateaus. Paddy is cultivated at least twice a year in most parts of India, the two seasons being known as Rabi and Kharif respectively. The former cultivation is dependent on irrigation, while the l atter depends on Monsoon. The paddy cultivation pla ys a major role in socio-cultural life of rural India. Uttar Pradesh is the fifth largest state of India, and can be divided into three regions by different geographical conditions: North- Himalayan region, Middle- Gangetic plains and South- Vindhyan hills and plateau. It shares Nepal and Tibet in northeast, Himachal Pradesh in n orthwest, Haryana, Rajasthan & Delhi in West, Madhya Pradesh in south and Bihar in southeast. The climate varies from moderately temperate in the Himalayan region to tropical monsoon in the central plains and southern upland r egions. In the plains, the average temperatures var y from 54.5 to 63.5 F (12.5 to 17.5 C) in January to 81.5 to 90.5 F (27.5 to 32.5 C) in May and June. Rainfall in the state ranges from 40-80 inches in the east to 24-40 inches in th e west. The western region of the state is more adv anced in terms of agriculture. Majority of the population depends upon farming as its main occupation. Wheat, rice, s ugar cane, pulses, oil seeds and potatoes are its main product s. Grasshoppers belong to the super family Acridoidea and Pyrgomorphoidea of the order Orthoptera and suborder Caelifera. Acridoidea shows maximum diversity and constitutes only one family i.e., Acrididae whereas

A catalogue of aphid parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) from India

Abstract: A catalogue of aphidiine parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) associated with various aphids species occurring in India was compiled. The present catalogue with 125 species under 22 genera has been further reinforced with not only all the latest taxonomic changes but also host names, host plants, distribution in India etc.

Taxonomic studies on Acrididae (Orthoptera: Acridoidea) from Rajasthan (India)

Abstract: Thirty seven species of locusts and grasshoppers representing twenty five genera and eleven subfamilies belonging to the family Acrididae are reported from different localities of Rajasthan. Localities surveyed and distribution of each species collected from Rajasthan is discussed. Their distinguishing characters and keys to subfamilies, genera and species wherever necessary are given. A comprehensive report of Acridid fauna of this region is given for the first time.

Studies on taxonomy and distribution of Acridoidea (Orthoptera) of Bihar, India

Abstract: Thirty seven species of locusts and grasshoppers representing 26 genera, four tribes and 12 subfamilies belonging to the families Pyrgomorphidae, Catantopidae and Acrididae are reported from different localities of Bihar. Their distinguishing characters and bio-ecological data are provided along with keys to tribes and subfamilies. This paper comprising of distribution and field observation along with taxonomy of Acridoid fauna is the first of its kind from the state.

Seasonal abundance of Diaretiella rapae (M'Intosh) (Braconidae: Aphidiinae) parasitizing Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Brassica juncea variety Pusa bold. Munis.

Abstract: The occurrence of Diaretiella rapae parasitizing Lipaphis erysimi in Mustard variety Pusa bold (Brassica juncea) was evaluated. Successful parasitism was 75.46% and 68.96% during 2006-07, 2007-08 respectively. Correlation coefficient of average per cent relative humidity with both aphid (r=-0.52) and parasitoid (r=-0.59) were negatively significant whereas day (r=0.65) and the night temperature (r=0.61) had significant positive correlations with the parasitoid population only. The best fitted polynomial regression equation indicated that 30-60% variability of the aphid population could be explained by the different weather parameters, while 11-50% variability of the parasitoid population could be explained by weather parameters.

Annotated and illustrated world checklist of Microgastrinae parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera, Braconidae).

Abstract: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the CC0 Public Domain Dedication. The attached file is the published pdf.

Aphids (Hemiptera, Aphididae) on ornamental plants in greenhouses in Bulgaria

Abstract: Investigations on the species composition and host range of aphids on ornamental greenhouse plants in Bulgaria was conducted over a period of five years, from 2008 to 2012. Twenty greenhouses, growing ornamentals for landscaping, plant collections and other purposes were observed. They were located in the regions of Sofia, Plovdiv, Smolyan, Pavlikeni, Varna and Burgas. The total number of collected aphid samples was 279. Their composition included 33 aphid species and one subspecies from 13 genera and 5 subfamilies. Twenty-eight species were found to belong to subfamily Aphidinae. Almost 70 % of all recorded species were polyphagous. The most widespread aphid species was Myzus persicae, detected in 13 greenhouses all year round, followed by Aulacorthum solani (10 greenhouses) and Aphis gossypii (9 greenhouses). The widest host range was shown by Myzus persicae (43 hosts), Aulacorthum solani (32 hosts) and Aulacorthum circumflexum (23 hosts). The list of host plants includes 114 species from 95 genera and 58 families. The greatest variety of aphid species was detected on Hibiscus (9 species). Out of all aphid samples 12.9 % were collected on Hibiscus and 6.8 %, on Dendranthema. The greatest variety of aphid species was detected on Hibiscus (9 species). Periphyllus californiensis and Aphis (Aphis) fabae mordvilkoi are reported for the first time for Bulgaria. Furthermore, Aphis spiraecola has been found in new localities and has widened its host range in this country.

Diversity of insect pests in major rice growing areas of the world

Abstract: This study was conducted during June 2015 to September 2015 through a thorough review of a number of research papers, review papers and case studies that were published in journals of national and international repute. Major Rice growing countries of the world were studied in terms of pest diversity that they had in their rice fields that included China, Bangladesh, India, Philippines, Thailand and Sri Lanka. Additionally, some strategies that are being used by top growers to expand their economy through rice have also been discussed. This study aims to enlist major rice pests that are present in rice fields of all major rice growing countries of the world.

Age-Specific Functional Response of Aphidius matricariae and Praon volucre (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

Abstract: The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), is one of the most important aphid pests on pepper. Aphidius matricariae Haliday and Praon volucre (Haliday) are known as biological control agents for aphids in vegetable crops. In this research, age-specific functional responses of these two parasitoids were evaluated on different densities of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 green peach aphids. Type of functional response varied from type II to type III for different ages of A. matricariae, but type of functional response was not affected by female age for P. volucre. The functional response of P. volucre was determined as type II in the whole parasitoid lifetime. The searching efficiency (a), b, and handling time (T h ) were estimated using the Rogers equations. The highest searching efficiency (a) and lowest handling time were observed during the first half of lifetime of A. matricariae and P. volucre. Aphidius matricariae and P. volucre caused reasonable mortality of the green peach aphid by parasitism of 52.17 and 47.05 host aphids, respectively, in 24 h. Therefore, they are suggested as suitable candidates for control of M. persicae in pepper greenhouses.