Integrated management of the uzi fly, Exorista bombycis (Louis) (Diptera: Tachinidae), a parasitoid of the silkworm, Bombyx mori L.

Abstract

Exorista bombycis (Louis), known as uzi fly, causes considerable damage to silkworm rearings in several silkproducing countries including India. Various control measures have been adopted by farmers to control uzi fly. Although these measures help to reduce uzi infestation, the economic loss is not completely avoided. We therefore undertook an IPM programme involving spraying of an insecticide (a liquid formulation of 1% benzoic acid) against eggs and augmentative release of the indigenous gregarious parasitoid Nesolynx thymus (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) against puparia. In all, 129 silkworm rearings consisting of 16575 layings were subjected to integrated management between September 1990 and August 1992. All the silkworms raised were sprayed with a recommended dosage of insecticide and a total of c. 17.9 million adults of N. thymus were released during rearing of silkworms. The results indicate that the IPM approach is highly successful as a 77.0% decline in the losses due to uzi infestation is recorded.

Keywords:

• Tachinidae
• Eulophidae
• IPM
• silkworm
• India