ROLE OF INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS IN REDUCING INSECT PESTS OF BHENDI (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

To quantify the role of insectivorous birds in reducing major insect pests of Bhendi crop for three years (2015-16, 2016-17 & 2017-18) during Kharif season. Incidence of major pest complex in terms of number of larvae per plant was recorded at alternate day during different stages of the crop up to harvest. The Bird activity was also recorded in relation to larval density and also recorded bird species composition at weekly intervals by using point count method. A total 15 species of birds were recorded during the crop period. The predominant predatory birds noticed in the field on bird perches include Common myna, Black drongo, Green Bee eater, House crow, Common babblers, Indian robin, Pied bush chat and Red-wattled lapwing. Among the species, the per cent utilization of bird perches was recorded high by common myna (48%), black drongo (28%), Indian robin (12%), common babbler (7%) and pied bush chat (5%). Among the treatments, farmers practice was effective in reducing the pest population followed by combination of bird perches and NPV showed reduction in fruit borer incidence and tobacco caterpillar. The per cent fruit damage was less in Bird perches + NPV plot (21.6%), followed by Bird perches alone (23.17%) and NPV plot (24.12%). However, in farmers practice plot also showed less incidence of fruit damage (14.1%). The treatment bird perches + NPV solution were environmentally friendly and cost-effective practices that can be adopted by farmers compared to chemical control.