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Aim: The present study aimed at reporting the occurrence of pest, Pyrausta panopealis on sweet basil Ocimum basilicum. The biological parameters and population dynamics of the pest was studied on its newly reported host plant. Methodology: Description of P. panopealis was done using morphological and molecular approaches. Male and female genitalia of adults were dissected for morphological identification. DNA was isolated from insect sample (adult legs) and amplified using mtCOI primers (LCO 1490; HCO 2198). The larva of P. panopealis was reared on sweet basil under laboratory conditions for observing the growth parameters. Results: Male genitalia with distinct spoon-shaped clasper; female genitalia corpus bursae with appendix bursa. The sequenced DNA product was submitted to NCBI- GenBank (Accession No: Mk559412). The mean incubation period, larval period and pupal period of the pest was 3.19 days; 13.81 days; 5.40 and 6.27 days. The total life span of male and female insects ranged from 22 to 33 days and 24 to 35 days, respectively. The fecundity of adult varied from 91 to 131 (average 111.75 eggs). The peak population of pest (11.5 larvae/ plant) was recorded during 32nd standard meteorological week, during which all the observed plants were infested by larvae of P. panopealis. Interpretation: This is the first report of association between P. panopealis and sweet basil. The data on life cycle parameters, seasonal incidence and severity can be used for developing integrated pest management strategies to P. panopealis on sweet basil. Key words: Genitalia, Perilla leaf moth, Pyrausta panopealis, Seasonal incidence, Sweet basil

A host association for Syncola crypsimorpha (Meyrick, 1922) is discovered after 100 years, since its original description. In India, two blastobasid species, Syncola crypsimorpha (Meyrick, 1922) and S. pulverea (Meyrick, 1907) (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea), are predators of cultured lac, Kerria lacca (Kerr, 1782) (Hemiptera: Kerridae). Descriptions, diagnoses, and images and illustrations of the adult stage, including the male and female genitalia, for these two species are provided to facilitate identifications. A lectotype for Syncola crypsimorpha is designated herein.

The fall army worm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is an invasive pest native to Americas, and it has recently been observed invasive to India. The mtCOI based analysis of the populations of FAW from the Americas showed the prevalence of two strains viz. “R” (Rice) and “C” (Corn). Recent studies on FAW populations from Africa revealed the predominance of “R” strain that feed primarily on maize. To understand the prevalence of strain and molecular diversity of FAW in India, studies were made on the populations collected on maize, sweet corn, and sorghum from six states of India (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra). The results reveal that this is the first report of the occurrence of FAW from Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. Further, mtCOI (5′) based sequence analyses revealed that these populations from India aligned with “R” strain with minimal genetic diversity exhibiting no host/location specific variations. FAW populations in India primarily feed on maize as observed in Africa with no incidence on rice yet. The present study suggests a possible invasion by single genetic stock of FAW in India which requires haplotype analysis.

The extensive studies were conducted on noctuids moths associated with major vegetables in different districts of Karnataka i.e. Bangalore Mysore, Chikmaglore, Bagalkot, Belgaum and Dharwad. All the collected specimens were identified and sorted into 42 species belonging to three families of Noctuoidea. Highest numbers of species were recorded in family noctuidae (29 species) belonged to eight subfamilies. Family Nolidae and Erebidae accounted for six and seven species respectively and were placed in two and four subfamilies, respectively.