Scope and use of light trap as IPM tool in Paddy Ecosystem

In all, 64 species of insects were collected in light trap in a cropping season of paddy. These species were represented by total of 8 insect orders and 35 families. Lepidoptera was the largest order with 28 species. Other major orders were Hemiptera (14 species), Coleoptera (12 species) and Orthoptera (4 species). Hymenoptera, Odonata, Isoptera and Dictyoptera were the other orders of minor significance. Based on economic importance this collection was represented by 45 species of harmful insect pest of crops, 17 species of predatory insects and 2 species of beneficial commercial importance. Observations made on seasonal activity of 14 species of insect pests of paddy collected in light trap provided very useful information on monitoring the activity of these pests in field. Compared to non trap area, the reduction in pest population in light trap area at 100 m. distance was 64% in Sogatella furcifera, 71% in Cnaphalocrocis medinalis and 68 % in Grass hoppers (Complex) respectively.Therefore the present study has proven the potential utility of light trap as IPM tool for taxonomic documentation of insects, monitoring and management of insect pest population in paddy ecosystem