The study was conducted to identify the microbial communities associated with the hive stored pollen of Apis cerana indica colonies in Palakkad and Wayanad region of Kerala. Investigation revealed that samples collected from Palakkad contained two bacteria viz., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus megaterium and one fungus viz., Trichoderma reesei, while pollen from Wayanad had two bacteria viz., B. aryabhattai and B. megaterium and two fungi viz., Westerdykella multispora and Neurospora crassa. Microbial load was more in samples from Wayanad (6.6x104 cfu g-1) compared to Palakkad sample (3.3x104 cfu g-1).

A study was conducted to screen twenty-five different rice cultivars against Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) under laboratory conditions during 2020 - 2021 and 2021-2022 at Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari. From the pooled data of two year, it is observed that the cultivar IET-25470 recorded lowest number of adult emergence (72.83 adults) whereas the cultivar GNR -4 recorded highest number of adult emergence (119.33 adults) followed by the cultivar Ratnagiri-4 (110.50 adults). Regarding susceptibility index, the cultivar GNR 4 recorded highest susceptibility index (15.36) whereas cultivar IET- 25470, IET-25453, IET-24336, and IET-28713 recorded the lowest susceptibility index. The damage caused by S. cerealella to the grains of different rice cultivars revealed that the percentage of loss in grain weight was ranging between 4.08 to 8.19 per cent in different paddy cultivars. Further, Ratnagiri5 recorded the lowest weight loss (4.08%) while the maximum weight loss was recorded in GNR 4 (8.19%).

Molecular characterization of Ceylonitermellus sahyadriensis (Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae), using the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene was studied, along with its morphological characteristics. The combined molecular analysis with its morphological figures provided a comprehensive species description, the first genetic profile of this species and giving a baseline data for the genus Ceylonitermellus. The phylogenetic analysis validated the species’ taxonomic position and revealed its evolutionary relationships within Nasutitermitinae. This integrated approach is particularly significant given the genus’s rarity and limited distribution, contributing to our understanding of termite diversity in the Oriental region. The molecular data generated will serve as a crucial reference for future systematic studies and species identification of this endemic genus.

The coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari, 1867), is a major pest responsible for substantial economic losses in global coffee production. This study investigated the impact of field management, particularly sanitation practices, on controlling H. hampei infestations in robusta coffee (Coffea canephora). Field observations were conducted in both maintained and non-maintained plantations to assess pest populations at different fruit development stages. Results showed that well-maintained fields had significantly lower pest populations across all developmental stages compared to non-maintained fields. Statistical analysis confirmed the effectiveness of sanitation measures in disrupting the pest’s life cycle. Mature cherries were found to be highly susceptible to infestation, emphasizing the importance of timely field management. Additionally, healthy coffee plants in managed fields showed greater resilience to pest attacks. The research underscores the vital role of consistent field management in mitigating pest damage and enhancing the sustainability of coffee production systems.

This study provides a comprehensive examination of Ichneumon wasp damage on Raily Tasar silkworm cocoons in Chhattisgarh, offering critical insights into the prevalence and distribution of this parasitic infestation. These cocoons traditionally considered resistant to Ichneumon wasp infestations, but during the study, unexpected evident damage symptoms are exhibited during the First crop (Chaiti) harvests in June. The emergence of characteristic signs, including distinct holes at the peduncle base and pupal exit points, confirmed the presence of the Ichneumon wasp and its parasitic activity within the Raily cocoons. The investigation further revealed a notable range in the extent of Ichneumon wasp damage, with percentages ranging from 1.43 to 8.10 per cent across various forested locations in Bastar. District wise analysis indicated that Bastar experienced the highest damage rate (23.50%), followed by Kondagoan (20.50%) and Dhantewada (17.00%). These variations underscore the localized disparities in infestation severity, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions in areas facing higher damage rates.

The life history of a dinidorid bug Megymenum distanti Kocorek & Ghate, 2012 was examined under controlled laboratory conditions. The female bug laid about 32 eggs after mating. Only 8 of these 32 eggs actually hatched, for a hatching ratio of only 25 per cent and these 8 nymphs were observed further. The eggs required 11 to 13 days to hatch. There were five nymphal stages, lasting 48 days in total. The nymphal periods for the first, second, third, fourth, and the fifth instars were 11, 9, 8, 7 and 13 days, respectively. Male adults survived 21 days on average, whereas female adults lived 32 days on average after mating. Within 82-93 days, the entire life cycle was completed. Except for the first instar nymph, both nymphs and adults feed on leaves of Momordica indica L.

The complete emergence of two odonate species Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur, 1842) (Zygoptera, Coenagrionidae) and Anax immaculifrons (Anisoptera, Aeshnidae) were studied at Wardha district of Maharashtra, India. The average time to complete emergence in Ischnura senegalensis was 92.2 minutes and in the case of Anax immaculifrons the average time for the (F-0) stage larvae for emergence it into fully flying adult was 40 days. I. senegalensis emerges in a vertical posture and emerges between 8 00 h and 16 00 h during the day. Emergence of the A. immaculifrons was observed at night, with times ranging from 21h to 01h and it emerges in a vertical posture. The (F-1) stage larva of A. immaculifrons was cannibalised by the (F-0) stage larva by only cutting the thorax and separating the head and abdomen. One unsuccessful emergence was observed in A. immaculifrons, where one of the wings remain wrinkled and unstretched.

The investigation revealed the presence of a total of 16 species of aquatic insects in Maguri Beel and Khamti Guali Beel, two freshwater ecosystems, in Assam, India. The distribution and diversity of species present in the two wetlands with an account of physico-chemical water analysis and macrophyte distribution are discussed. Variation in the diversity indices of both the wetlands, illustrated key differences in diversity and distribution of aquatic insects in Maguri and Khamti Guali Beel.

Nine new species viz., Sycophila drupacea sp. nov., S. arnottiana sp. nov., S. religiosa sp.nov., S. virens sp. nov., S. infectoria sp. nov., S. wayanadensis sp. nov., S. batheri sp. nov., S. tinctoria sp. nov. and S. gibbose sp. nov. were described and reported from five different fig species, Ficus drupacea, F.arnottiana, F. religiosa, F. virens and F, tinctoria, from Wayanad regions of Kerala, India.

In the first ever enumeration of moth diversity of Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh, India, located mostly in the Shivalik range, 82 species/morphospecies were reported, at least 22 of which are new records for Himachal Pradesh, and five are new records for Western Himalayas. In addition to a list of moths for the district supplemented with photographs, identification keys for similar species, larval host plants for species, and a near exhaustive dataset of distribution of the species/genera within and outside India are also provided.