Scutellarid pests of jatropha and their management.

Scutellera nobilis and Chrysocoris purpureus, the two scutellarid bug pests of jatropha were studied for their biology, damage potential and management using microbials, plant products and insecticides. The incubation period, nymphal period and adult longevity was 5.92, 26.92 and 38.83 to 43.50 days, respectively in S. nobilis. The egg, nymphal and adult longevity of C. purpureus was 5.75, 33.49 and 45 - 51 days, respectively where with a fecundity of 25.67 eggs/female. An egg parasitoid Trissolcus sp was found to parasitise the pest. Beauveria bassiana was found to be effective but neem products were ineffective in controlling the pest. Of insecticides, carbosulfan 0.025% was found to be effective followed by monocrotophos 0.045% and dichlorvos 0.076%.