Biology of A Dragaonfly Crocothemis Servilia Servilia Drury (Odonata: Libellulidae), A Predator of Paddy Pests in Kolhapur.

Abstract

Crocothemis servilia servilia (Drury) (Odonata: Libellulidae) is biocontrol agent of paddy pests in Kolhapur region of Maharashtra. It predates on paddy jassid Nilaparvata sp., Paddy borer Chilo suppersalis (Walker) and Jowar stem a borer Chilo partellus (Swin). Therefore, biology of C. servilia servilia has been studied under laboratory conditions (24 C, 70 75% RH and 12 hr Photo period). It completes its life cycle within 3 months, egg stage lasts for 18 days and nymphal period is 72 days. There are 12 instars, each has about 7 – 10 days duration. During nymphal period they feed on paramoecium, daphnia, redworms and mosquito larvae. Adult survives for 4 days without food. Mated female can lay about 140 – 150 eggs in water body/water trough. A single mated female, an average can produce 142 adults under laboratory conditions.