Diversity and Bio-Control Potential Of The Genus Cotesia Cameron (Hymenoptera : Braconidae) From Kolhapur Region, India

ABSTRACT The genus Cotesia Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is widely scattered in the world containing about 2000 species and act as insect pest biocontrol agents. Biological pest control is ecofriendly and good alternative for chemical control for avoiding pollution, pest resistance, pest resurgence, secondary pest out break etc. Hence, biodiversity and biocontrol potential of the genus Cotesia have been studied from Kolhapur region, India. A total of 25 species of this genus have been reported causing mortalities in pest insects of economically important crops both from agro and forest ecosystems. C. flavipes, C. parnari, C. mangiferae, C. chilonis, C. orientalis, C. anari and C. sesamae showed 32.00%, 34.00%, 38.50%, 27.00%, 21.00 %, 20.50% and 18.50% biocontrol potential against lepidopterous pests, Chilo partellus, Parnara mathias, Inderbella tetraonis, C. partellus, Exelastis atomosa and Sesamia. inferens respectively. 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