Pyrilla perpusilla Walker

Pyrilla perpusilla has assumed pest status in many parts of the country. Its sporadic and large scale outbreaks have been recorded from Uttar Pradesh, North Bihar and Karnataka. Most of these outbreaks proceed long spells of drought. In case of outbreaks, its attack has been observed on several graminaceous and other crops also.

Whitish or brownish nymphs having forked tails and straw coloured adults with prominent rostrum suck sap from the affected canes. In case of heavy infestation yellowing of leaves and development of black sooty mould on honey dew secreted on leaves are the common symptoms of attack of pyrilla.

The culture is initiated by collecting adults of Pyrilla perpusilla from the sugarcane fields. Pyrilla perpusilla is multiplied in glass battery jars (20 x 10 x 10 cms). The bottom of each of the jars is filled with pre-sterilized and moistened sand. On the sand bed in the center of jar, a 5 cm diameter petri dish containing a piece of sponge soaked in 2.5 percent solution of sugar and protinules is provided. The cane leaves are cut to 15 cm pieces, washed, dried and inserted in the sand covering the leftout areas around the petri dishes. The petri dish is charged at 2 day interval and the leaves at 5-7 days interval. The open end of the jar is secured tightly with the help of 2 rubber bands and a piece of muslin cloth. The eggs are removed daily with the help of a fine camel hair brush. The eggs collected are sprinkled @ 100 each on a hard card board measuring 9 x 3 cm. The piece of card board containing 100 eggs is placed in a glass tube (10 x 3.5 cm) to allow nymphs to hatch. On hatching the nymphs are transferred to glass battery jars (20 x 15 cm) containing leaves as described above. Five day old nymphs are exposed to parasitoid females. If the nymphs are allowed to complete their development, the adults are allowed to emerge and 5 day old adults are exposed to the parasitoid.