Biological Control of Insect Pests of Medicinal Plants-

Abstract: The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the parasitoids (Trichogramma raoi, T. chilonis), predator (Chrysoperla cornea) and biopesticides i.e. botanicals (neem based Gronim) / mocrobials (Bacillus thuringensis and Beauveria bassiana) against five major insect pests viz. Polytela gloriosae, Anomis flava, Earias vitella, Dysdercus cingulatus and Aphis gossypi of important target species of medicinal plants- Abelmoschus moschatus, Gloriosa superba and Withania somnifera in forest nursery, Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur and Delakhari west Chhindwara forest division, Madhya Pradesh (India). The results revealed that Bacillus thuringensis 1 % followed by neem based pesticide (Gronim) 1 % was found to be most effective against defoliators Polytela gloriosae on G. superba, Anomis flava and shoot/fruit borer Earias vitella on A. moschatus. Neem based pesticide (Gronim) followed by Bt 1 % was found to be most effective against red bug Dysdercus cingulatus on the fruits of A. moschatus and aphid, Aphis gossypi on W. somnifera. Predator, Chrysoperla cornea @ 500 per 100 sq m followed by parasitoid Trichogramma chilonis @1500 per 100 sq m was also found to be most effective for reductio