Promoting a Sustainable Future Through Research, Collaboration, and Education
Safeguarding Ecosystems, Empowering Communities, and Shaping Environmental Policy
From Research to Action - Protecting Natural Resources and Fostering Sustainability
Collaboration, Education, and Advocacy for a Sustainable Future
Securing a Thriving Environment for Generations to Come Through Research and Education
ABSTRACT: Taxonomic study on some orb-weaving spiders of the genus Cyrtarachne Thorell was carried out in Khulna, the southwest part of Bangladesh. Two species were recorded during the study of which C. ovata sp. n. was identified as new to science and C. sundari Tikader was recorded earlier from this country. Illustrated description and distribution together with key to the species of Bangladesh are presented herewith.
Keywords: Araneae, Araneidae, Bangladesh, Cyrtarachne, Cyrtarachninae, Taxonomy.
Post Time: 1 year ago
ABSTRACT: The study was aimed to assess the knowledge, perception and attitude of people about owl and their conservation to combat rats. During the survey more than 90 people were asked to collect information regarding the owl population from three localities of Gazipur, Rajshahi and Jashore districts. The survey was conducted about the farmer’s knowledge, attitude, and perception of owls to combat rats. The questionnaire was divided into different parameters viz., familiarity, owl awareness, misconception, food habits and conservation aspects of owl. Most of farmers (77.22 %) replied that they had seen only one species whereas 23.33% farmers reported on two species, 3.33% farmers reported three species. The familiarity of respondent about the spotted owlet, eagle owl and barn owl was 50%, 43.33% and 32.22%, respectively. More than 70 % gave positive and 28.89% gave negative response about owl. About 87.77% thought that owl had no harmful effect on human and the environment, only 14.44% thought owl is not good for us. Maximum respondent (93.33%) opined that they were known about the food habit of owl. Out of them cent percent opined that rat is the main food of owl. More than 76% respondent mentioned that public awareness can be an important tool for owl conservation whereas 15.55% mentioned on creating un disturbing habitat or reserve areas and only 7.77% respondent opined to encourae tree plantation program.
Keywords: Awareness, knowledge, familiarity, misconception, conservation, owls, survey combating rats.
Post Time: 1 year ago
ABSTRACT: The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda was first recoded in Bangladesh on November 18, 2018, FAW had posed a major threat to maize production. To assess the effectiveness of different biopesticides and insecticides against FAW, a f ield study was conducted at the Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute (BWMRI) in 6 February 2020. The study tested virus-based bio-pesticides and newly formulated organic insecticides. Results showed that chemical insecticides were generally more effective than bio-pesticides in reducing infestation during the vegetative stage. However, during the reproductive stage, both chemical and bio pesticide treatments significantly reduced cob infestation compared to untreated control plots. Among the tested insecticides, Spinosad 45SC (Tracer) provided effective control of small fresh windowpane (SFW) symptoms, maintaining low infestation levels throughout the growing stages, peaking 46% at six leaf stage (V6) and then reducing 0% at the tasseling stage. Incidence of infested whorl (IW), was minimal, with only minor occurrence at tasseling stage (10%). In contrast, Spodoptera Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (Spodo-NPV) was less effective at the early stages, showing high infestation levels of FAW symptoms at V6 (68%) and IW symptoms beginning at seven leaf stage (V7) (26%) and peaking at eight leaf stage (V8) (38%). However, SNPV proved effective in reducing both SFW and IW symptoms at the tasseling stage. Spodoptera frugiperda MNPV 32% (Fawligen) showed moderate control over immature larvae, with infestation levels decreasing from V6 (44%) at tasseling (0%). However, IW-type damages were more persistent, peaking at V8 (86%) and remaining at a significant level (10%) even at tasseling stage. In terms of yield, maize grain production was highest in plots treated with bio-pesticides. Fawligen-treated plots produced the highest yield (4594 ± 84 kg/ha), followed closely by Spodo-NPV (4522 ± 128 kgha-1) and Spinosad 2.5% SC (Success) (4286 ± 285 kgha-1). Based on these findings, Spodo-NPV and Fawligen are recommended for FAW control infesting maize crops, as they are both effective and safe for human health and environment.
Keywords: Fall Armyworm, Maize yield, Spinosad, Spodoptera NPV Polyhedrosis Virus, Spodoptera frugiperda MNPV, Chlorantraniliprole
Post Time: 1 year ago
ABSTRACT: Maize (Zea mays), a globally significant crop, is increasingly cultivated in Sylhet district of Bangladesh, but faces challenges due to various insect pests. This study aimed to record the abundance and diversity of insect pests of maize field in Sylhet district. Field studies were conducted at Jalalabad Union of Sylhet Sadar Upazila under Sylhet district, from January to May 2022. Results revealed that various insect pests and natural enemies were found in the maize field viz., cutworm, fall armyworm, tachinid fly, non-biting midge, ladybird beetle, honey bee, and grasshopper. Among these insect pests, non-biting midge (Chironomus sp.) (51%) and fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) (16%) were identified as the most prevalent. Insect pests and natural enemies varied by functional diversity with 51% categorized as neutral, 30% as pests, 10% as predators, 5% as parasitoids and 4% as pollinators. The abundance and diversity of insect pests belongs to five different orders which include Diptera (56%), Lepidoptera (24%), Coleoptera (10%), Orthoptera (6%), and Hymenoptera (4%). The Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index was 1.74, indicating a stable community structure, and Pielou’s Evenness Index was 0.275, suggesting moderate species distribution uniformity. Insect abundance differed across maize growth stages, with certain pests prevalent in specific stages: cutworm was found during the seedling stage; non-biting midge and ladybird beetle were observed from seedling to harvest; fall armyworm, tachinid fly, and grasshopper were present in both vegetative and reproductive stages; and honey bee appeared during the reproductive stage. Temperature and relative humidity were found to have distinct effects on insect populations, with correlations varying among different species. Temperature was positively correlated with non biting midge (r = 0.86), fall armyworm (r = 0.54), and tachinid fly (r = 0.39), while negative correlations were observed with ladybird beetle (r = -0.05) and grasshopper (r = -0.31). In terms of relative humidity, positive correlations were identified for fall armyworm (r = 0.14), ladybird beetle (r = 0.31), grasshopper (r = 0.64), and tachinid f ly (r = 0.07), whereas non-biting midge showed a negative correlation (r = -0.12). These findings would be helpful for implementing IPM program to manage these pests effectively and ensure sustainable maize cultivation.
Keywords: Maize insects, insect diversity, abundance, IPM, Sylhet, Correlation, Temperature, Humidity
Post Time: 1 year ago
ABSTRACT: Screening of tropical sugar beet varieties against the sugar beet caterpillar, Spodoptera litura, is important for understanding how different varieties respond to caterpillar pressure and developing pest-resistant cultivars, and increasing sugar beet crop productivity in Bangladesh. A study was carried out to identify the most tolerant sugar beet cultivars against Spodoptera litura attack as well as the extent of infestations by this insect pest. Results revealed that Cauvery was the best suited cultivar, whereas PAC-60008 was the most susceptible to S. litura. The PAC-60008 variety had the highest (7.73) number of bores plant-1 and caterpillar (14.66), whereas the Cauvery variety had the lowest (2.20) number of bore plant-1 and the fewest (2.00) caterpillar. Sugar beet yield and its associated attributes were higher in Cauvery variety but lower in PAC-60008 variety. Cauvery had the highest yield (89.96 t ha-1), while the PAC-60008 variety had the lowest (76.06 t ha-1). Cauvery exhibited the highest Brix (18.23%) and Pol (13.45%), whereas PAC-60008 showed the lowest Brix (14.70%) and Pol (11.18%). Cauvery variety was more tolerant to Spodoptera litura, and further study may be undertaken in multiple locations to get more information on the causes of lower pest infestation and production increase before providing recommendation for commercial cultivation of Cauvery variety.
Keywords: Spodoptera litura, Sugar Beet, Variety, Tolerant variety, Cauvery, PAC-60008, Brix, Pol
Post Time: 1 year ago
ABSTRACT: Evaluation of mung bean varieties was carried out against thrips under natural f ield condition to find out tolerant or least susceptible variety during January to April, 2016. Ten varieties were used as study materials. Results revealed that no variety was free from the attack of thrips. The number of thrips in each flower varied significantly among the flowering stages. The lowest thrips population was found in variety BU mung 1 and IPSA mung 5 showed less susceptible to thrips. BARI Mung- 6, BARI Mung -5 and GK Mung- 27 had highest population of thrips which indicated that these varieties were highly susceptible to thrips while IPSA Mung- 5 and BU Mung- 1 had the lowest population indicating less susceptible to thrips. The percent damaged flower plant-1 varied significantly among the flowering stages. The lowest per cent flower damage was in variety BU mung 1 (11.33%) at 50% flowering stage and in BARI mung 2 (20.00%) at 100% f lowering stage. BARI Mung- 6, BARI Mung- 5 and GK Mung- 27 had highest number of damaged flower which indicated that these varieties were highly susceptible to thrips. BU Mung- 1 and IPSA Mung- 5 showed comparatively better resistance against thrips. The number of thrips was higher during high temperature and relative humidity. With the increase of flower infestation there was progressive fall in the yield. BU mung 1 and IPSA mung 5 were comparatively less susceptible varieties to thrips among tested varieties.
Keywords: Mung bean, variety, incidence, infestation, thrips
Post Time: 1 year ago
ABSTRACT: Hakaluki haor is the largest haor (wetland ecosystem, north eastern part of Bangladesh) consisting of fresh water swamp forest which has been declared as Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) of Bangladesh. Mustard is one of the most promising short duration crops in this ecosystem to escape from the pre-monsoon f lood. However, mustard yield was decreasing day by day due to the reduction of natural honey bee population. To develop a baseline information regarding the potentiality of apiculture practices, a survey of the local farmers and an experiment was conducted to assess the pollination services of honey bee in mustard field. It was found that about 62% of the farmers had positive perception about honey bee and 72% of the farmers were interested in apiculture. Around 73.3% of the farmers noticed the reduction of native honey bee population and 50% of the farmers considered reduction of natural honey bee being responsible for lower yield of mustard. About 77.3% of the farmers used different groups of pesticides viz. organophosphorous, pyrethroid, carbamate, triazoles, dicarboximide, and neonicotinoid in their mustard f ields to manage different pests and diseases. In field experiment, open pollination with artificial beehive significantly increased the number of silique per plant, seed per silique, weight of 1000 seeds and yield per plant. This study highlighted the scope of increasing pollination services through adopting intensive apiculture practices in the surveyed area for the sustainable livelihood.
Keywords: Pollination service, Mustard, Farmers’ Perception, Pesticides, Protected wetland, honey bee conservation
Post Time: 1 year ago
Dengue in Bangladesh has been a nagging problem for the past few years with varying intensity over months. But sustainable control is yet far away. Rigorous attempts to control dengue have been limited to clean water hyacinths in ditches and ponds, stagnant water from flower pots, coconut shells, drains, tyres, etc. which are accumulated and encourage mosquito breeding. It is an established fact that vector-borne diseases are better controlled by killing vectors. It is not known whether any research conducted to control mosquitoes in ponds, ditches, small or big water bodies, derelict ponds and changes in population density of mosquitoes in those areas. Obviously, population density will be more in ponds and other small or big water bodies than in flower pots on roof tops, tyres etc. Even if water hyacinth is cleaned, the larvae remain quite homely there.
Chemicals that kill larvae are called larvicides. Media reports say larvicide does not work. But the scientific reasons for failure have not been unearthed. The scientific reasons for failures have been discussed in two publications (Miah 2023, Miah 2024). According to WHO protocol, mosquito larvae are released in containers having different concentrations of larvicides. The larvae are surrounded by larvicides, and obviously they will die. These larvicides, when sprayed on larvae living above the ground, will be contaminated leading to mortality. But the biology of mosquitoes is different. They breed in water and larvae and pupae live under water, only they move to the water surface for breathing.
One aspect has been overlooked all the time because of the knowledge gap. Standing water in irrigated Boro rice field, which is clear, is a safe place for breeding of mosquitoes. Large scale adoption of the technique of Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) developed by International Rice Research Institute in water management is good enough to tackle this. The Department of Agricultural Extension under the Ministry of Agriculture is quite familiar with this technique.
The larvicide sprayed on water bodies cannot reach mosquito larvae living under water. The above two publications are based on 100 years old publication of works where soybean oil thinly poured in water created a thin oily film on water surface and caused suffocation to mosquito larvae and pupae. To implement that f inding, simply soak sand or soil in soybean oil and throw those at random as sand balls over the whole water body. Larvae and pupae of mosquitoes, when coming up to water surface for oxygen uptake through their spiracles located at the tip of abdomen, cannot pierce through the oily film to inhale oxygen. As a result they die of asphyxiation (suffocation). Since oily film will disrupt surface tension of water, adult mosquitoes trying to land on water surface will have their legs dipped in water and be stuck to die (Miah 2023, Miah 2024)
Since available larvicides are ineffective, there is dire necessity to look for alternative larvicides. News media publicize prevalence and apprehend cause of mosquito population. But there is hardly any research or message on killing mosquitoes and protection of skin from mosquito bites under Bangladesh environment .In the prevailing circumstances, in addition to treatment in the hospital, a concerted effort is warranted at national level, community level in urban, periurban and rural level to control mosquito as well as to save skin from mosquito bite as preventive measures. These deserve a top priority attention to put dengue at bay. Simply hospitalization is not a sustainable strategy at all to get rid of dengue in the country.
Post Time: 1 year ago
ABSTRACT: The production of the brinjal is hampered due to severe infestation by epilachna beetle. The experiment was conducted to investigate the abundance of epilachna beetle on brinjal at Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) campus during January to May 2022 and to determine the effectiveness of different insecticides on mortality and leaf consumption. Three treatments viz., T1 = Caught 10 EC @ 1 mlL-1 of water, T2 = Bioclean (D-Limonin 5% M L) @ 1 mlL-1 of water, T3 = Fyfanon 57 EC @ 1 mlL-1 of water and an untreated control. Results revealed that the highest number of grub (31.5) and adult (2.06) per plant was recorded in May while the lowest in January. The highest leaf area (35%) consumed by the grub was observed at 72 hours after release (HAR) followed by 48 HAR (28%) but the lowest (23%) in 24 HAR. Similar trend was also observed in leaf area consumed by adult beetle at 72, 48 and 24 HAR. The mortality of grub and adults were recorded 100% from the leaf treated by T1 (Caught 10 EC @ 1 ml L-1 of water), T2 (Bioclean (D-Limonin 5% M L) @ 1 mlL-1 of water) and T3 (Fyfanon 57 EC @ 1 mlL-1 of water) while no mortality was observed in the untreated control. No leaf consumption by epilachna beetle was observed after 24 hours of release when treated by T1 (Caught 10 EC @ 1 mlL-1 of water), T2 (Bioclean (D-Limonin 5% M L) @ 1 mlL-1 of water) and T3 (Fyfanon 57 EC @ 1 mlL-1 of water) while 24% and 17% leaf consumption by grub and adult, respectively in the untreated control. Though all these treatments were effective for controlling epilachna beetle but Bioclean could be the best option for ecofriendly management.
Keywords: Epilachna beetle, Incidence, leaf consumption, insecticidal efficacy.
Post Time: 2 years ago
Abstract: The biological parameters of Neoseiulus longispinosus feeding on Tetranychus urticae were examined at the IPM lab of Entomology Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur following leaf disc method during March - April 2022 at 25±20C and 55±5% RH. Results revealed that the average incubation period for eggs were 2.37 days, whereas larval, protonymphal and deutonymphal average periods for male and female were 0.64 and 0.73days, 0.85 and 1.02 days, and 1.03 and 1.13 days, respectively. The total developmental period from egg to adult of predatory mite was 4.79 days for female and 4.09 days for male. Pre oviposition, oviposition and post oviposition periods were 2.25±0.06, 11.04±0.47 and 2.41±0.12 days, respectively. Morphometric measurement indicated that a gradual increase of female in size from larva to adult were larger than male. On an average female longevity was 14.74 days and male longevity was 18.12 days. Female averagely laid on 27.13±1.49 eggs in its life span when reared on T. urticae under laboratory conditions.
Keywords: Two spotted red spider mite, taro, protonymph, deutonymph, adult, longevity, fecundity, morphometric measurement.
Post Time: 2 years ago
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