Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

FIRST RECORD ON INCIDENCE OF TROPICAL FIRE ANT SOLENOPSIS GEMINATA (FABRICIUS) (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE) IN AGRICULTURAL ECOSYSTEMS FROM TAMIL NADU

T. Nalini and S. Sasinathan

Abstract

A Survey was conducted to assess the field incidence of Solenopsis geminata during the year 2017 and 2018 at experimental farms of Faculty of agriculture, Annamalai University and farmers’ field in Sivapuri in black gram and sunflower respectively in relation to abiotic factors for the first time in Tamil Nadu. From the study, it is evident in black gram the maximum number of S. geminata population was recorded in 14th standard week (61.46) at maximum temperature 33.6 °C, minimum temperature 22.1 °C and rainfall 0.00mm. Aphid population was also maximum in the same period (55.23). In sunflower the highest S. geminata, mealybug incidence was recorded in the 52nd standard week as 9.95, 12.69 at maximum temperature 28.3°C minimum temperature 21.2 °C and rainfall 0.00 mm.