<div style="text-align: justify;">Y-tube olfactometer study was carried out to observe the orientation response of egg-larval parasitoid Chelonus blackburni Cameron towards various concentrations of volatile cues emitted from three potato varieties and Phthorimaea operculella Zeller. Volatile cues were subjected to Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling to identify the signaling molecules present in the pool of volatile cues. Out of 16 selected volatile cues concentrations obtained from plant and host insect sources, 10 cues acted as significant attractant for C. blackburni. Volatile cues emitted from Kufri Surya in vegetative stage were able to generate highest stimulation in C. blackburni. Among volatiles obtained from larval and adult stage of P. operculella, adult cues were found to be more efficient in the alteration of foraging behaviour of targeted parasitoid. GC-MS of targeted cues revealed the presence of fifteen saturated hydrocarbons ranging from C12 to C54; varying in concentrations. Study specified that C. blackburni preferred cues could be exploited to enhance the host searching efficacy during Integrated Pest Management releases.</div>

Impact of volatile cues on foraging response of egg larval parasitoid, Chelonus blackburni Cameron

<div>Background: Parasitoid wasps have received a great share of heed in the biological control of pests. However, they are often difficult to identify because of their small body size and profound diversity. In this view, biodiversity indices of parasitic fauna was reckoned and proper identification of those biocontrol agents were done through morphological and molecular technique such as DNA barcoding. 
 
Methods: Biodiversity indices of parasitoid of Groundnut Leafminer (GLM), Aproaerema modicella Deventer were reckoned for three agroclimatic zones viz., Irrigated Eastern zone (IE), Rainfed zone (R) and Irrigated Western zone (IW) of Tamil Nadu. Biodiversity indices viz., Relative density, Simpson&rsquo;s Index, Shannon-Wiener Index, Pielou&rsquo;s Evenness Index, Margalef Index and Beta diversity were assessed for the parasitic fauna associated with GLM. Apart from this, morphological characterization of prominent parasitoids were done with the help of available literatures and taxonomic experts. The molecular characterization of parasitoids were done using mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I (mtCOI). 
 
Result: The relative density of parasitoid families and species indicated the dominance of braconidae and Chelonus blackburni Cameron. Among the agroclimatic zones, rainfed zone had higher species diversity, richness and evenness. In addition, the morphological and molecular confirmation revealed that the parasitoids associated with A. modicella as Temelucha spp., Stenomesius japonicus, Bracon hebetor, Sympiesis dolichogaster, Chelonus blackburni and Avga choaspes. The amplified sequences were submitted to NCBI database and accession numbers were obtained.</div>

<div>Assessment of Diversity Indices and DNA Barcoding of Parasitic Fauna Associated with Groundnut Leafminer (GLM), Aproaerema modicella Deventer (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)</div>