Beneficial Insects

1. Course In-Charge
Mr.S.Srinivasnaik
Assistant Professor
Department of Entomology
Lecture No.1
Importance of beneficial insects, role of pollinators in cross-
pollination. Apiculture: Beekeeping as an industry, species of
honeybees- Little bee, Dammar bee, Indian honey bee, European
bee and Rock bees
ENTO 332 (1+1):Management of Beneficial Insects

3. BENEFICIAL INSECTS
Insects may be beneficial to humans in various ways, directly or indirectly. The
most important beneficial species are those whose products are of immense
commercial value. The insects which bring about pollination of crops are of
considerable importance. There are other beneficial insects which are used as
food, for biological control of insect pests and plants, soil scavengers, in
medicine and research and for aesthetic value.

4. BENEFICIAL INSECTS
1.Insects producing commercially valuable products:
Honey bees, silk worms, Lac insects, pela wax scale,
cochineal scale, certain gall forming insects.
2. Insect pollinators.
3. Entomophagous insects.
4. Weed killers.
5. Soil builders.
6. Scavengers.
7. Insects as Human food.
8. Insects of Educational and scientific value.
9. Insects of Medicinal value.
10. Insects as Source of dyes.
11. Insects of Aesthetic value

5. INSECTS OF COMMERCIALLY VALUABLE PRODUCTS
i) Honey Bees:
1. Apis dorsata : Rock Bee
2. Apis mellifera :European Honey Bee
3. Apis cerana indica:Indian Honey Bee
4. Apis florea: Little Bee
5. Tetragonula irridipennis :Stingless Bee/Dammer Bee
Apidae
The Punjab state has the distinction of producing highest honey(25% of the
total honey produced in India).

6. Rock bee: Apis dorsata

7. Indian Honey Bee: Apis cerana indica

8. Apis mellifera

9. Apis florea

10. Tetragonula irridipennis

11. In addition, bees wax is produced at the rate of about 1 Kg for every 50 – 100
Kg of honey., its value varies between one to three times that of honey. There
is also a significant world trade in pollen in the health – food industry. Other
products that are produced by honey bees include propolis (bee glue), bee
venom (used to desensitize patients with severe allergies to bee stings)
and royal jelly which is used in certain food supplements. The bee pollen is
collected by the pollen trap from ingoing forager bees. It is a rich protein source
and complete and good supplement in diet. Royal jelly is secreted by nurse
bees which is milky and light pale, in colour. It is used as an ingredient of skin
care products which helps in reducing wrinkles and work as anti-aging.

17. INSECTS OF COMMERCIALLY VALUABLE PRODUCTS
ii) Silk worms:
There are four species of silk worms in India, which can be exploited for
commercial silk production. These are mulberry silk worm, Bombyx, mori, Tasar
silkworm, Antheraea paphia, Muga silk worm, Antheraea assama; and Eri
silkworm, Philasomia ricini among which the first one is the most important
China is the leading producers of silk with about 70% of the world total followed
by India and Japan.

18. Mulberry silk worm, Bombyx, mori

19. Tasar silkworm, Antheraea paphia,

20. Tasar silkworm cocoon

21. Muga silk worm, Antheraea assama

22. Eri silkworm, Philasomia ricini

23. Eri silkworm cocoon

24. INSECTS OF COMMERCIALLY VALUABLE PRODUCTS
ii) Lac insects:
The lac insect, Kerria lacca, is a scale insect endemic to India and S.E. Asia
that secretes hard encrustation about itself a coating of lac as a protective
covering, which may be more than 1 cm. thick.

25. INSECTS OF COMMERCIALLY VALUABLE PRODUCTS
ii) Pela Wax Scale:
The pela wax scale, Ericerus pela has been used in China for
commercial production of Chinese wax
Grafting agent for fruit trees, insulation of electri cables and
equipments, manufacture of molds for precision instruments,
production of high-gloss, wax paper and coating candles

26. INSECTS OF COMMERCIALLY VALUABLE PRODUCTS
ii) Cochineal insects:
A scale insect Dactylopius coccus is found in Mexico and Central America on
prickly pear cacti. Cochineal pigment is extracted from this insect. It is used as
medicine, body paints and textile dye
It is very costly because of its scarcity, so it is used in only the finest fabrics. Now a
days, aniline dyes have taken place of cochineal in textile industries which in very
economic. This is still used as colors in foods, beverages, cosmetics (lip sticks) and art
products.

27. INSECTS OF COMMERCIALLY VALUABLE PRODUCTS
ii) Tannic acid producing insects:
Tannic acid was first produced by an abnormal outgrowths found
in oak trees in Asia Known as Allepo gall. Tiny wasps (Fam:
Cynipidae) secrete some chemical and in response of it the tree
produce gall tissues. Tannic acid is used in the dying, in leather
industries for tanning and manufacture of inks

29. II. INSECT POLLINATORS
Insect pollinators are flower visiting insects that forage on
flowering plants to obtain food (nectar, pollen). Pollinators are
attracted to plants by color, odor and flower shape and pattern.
The important pollinators are the honey bees, solitary bees
like Xylocopa, Andrena, Halticus, and bumble bees,
Bombus Spp, other insects are the stingless bees
(TrigonaSpp), wasps, many kinds of flies (Syrphus,
Bombylius, Sacrophoga), beetles, black ants, thrips,
butterflies and moths like Acherantia Spp.

30. Weevil Elaedobius kamerunicus (Coleoptera; Curculionidae) a great role
in pollination of oil palm

31. Blastophaga psens for Fig pollination

32. Forcipomyia spp. for cocoa pollination

33. III. INSECTS IN EDUCATIONAL & SCIENTIFIC VALUE
Simple food and other requirements, short duration time
high fecundity, many insects can be reared cheaply and
easily under laboratory conditions. These attributes of insects
make them ideal tools for use in teaching and research. Studies
on insects, have provided us with much of the basic knowledge
of a animal and cell physiology.

34. II. INSECTS IN EDUCATIONAL & SCIENTIFIC VALUE
S.No. Name of the Insect Use
1
Fruit fly – Drosophila
melanogaster
As a test insect in advanced genetic
research an alternative to guinea pigs,
rats, peas and primeroses
2
Bugs, flies and other
insects
For scientific detection of crimes
(Forensic entomology)
3
Butterflies and other
insects
Used as good indicators for climate
changes, pollution of water bodies

38. III. INSECTS IN FORENSIC ENTOMOLOGY
The term forensic entomology is generally applied to the
study of insects and other arthropods found in and on human
bodies suspected of criminal action to help in the investigation
and initiation of civil proceedings. Based on the species and
stage of insects, entomologists are able to predict the time
and location of crime. More importantly they indicate whether
a suspect is actually involved in the crime or not

39. II. INSECTS IN MEDICINAL VALUE
The stings of honey bee are said to have remedial value in the treatment
of arthritis and rheumatism. A specific medicine (Homeopathic), “Apis’ is
extracted from the honey bees by digesting the excited bees in alcohol
and is used against certain diseases like urinary irritations, diphtheria etc.

40. II. INSECTS IN MEDICINAL VALUE
Cantheridin is a substance found in the blister beetle, Lyttavesicatoria and is
useful internally treating certain urinary diseases and externally as a vesicant
and counter irritant. It is also probably the world’s best known and most widely
abused aphrodisiac. It is also known to be a tonic for hair.

41. II. INSECTS IN MEDICINAL VALUE
Dr. William Boric, a renowned homeopath, mention two drugs in his
Meteria medica, that are prepared from cockroaches, Blatta americana
for tiredness and urinary ailments and Blatta orientalis (for asthma).

42. II. INSECTS IN MEDICINAL VALUE
Caterpillar fungus, prepared from caterpillars of Cordyceps sinensis is
used as a tonic by the Chinese athletes for strengthening and rejuvenating the
body, to relieve stress, protect lungs and strengthen immune system. Due to its
legendary properties, it has been called the Chinese medicine for eternal
youth”

43. II. INSECTS IN MEDICINAL VALUE
In Europe and West Asian countries, the Aleppo gall of oak is
used as a powerful astringent tonic and antidote for certain
poisons.
Maggot therapy, i.e. the use of maggots of certain flies to
clean wounds and promote healing, has been used for
centuries in some societies.
Allantoin is a substance isolated from the secretions of fly
maggots which seems to have properties of healing deep wounds.

44. II. INSECTS AS SOURCE OF DYE
The dead and dried bodies of certain insects and the galls produced by certain
insects are a source of natural dyes.
The beautiful caramine red dye “Cochineal” is obtained from the dried
and powdered bodies of cactus scale insects (also called the cochineal
insects), Dactylopius coccus and tomentosus which thrive on Opuntia spp.
In India, it thrives on Opuntia dilleni. When the insects are fully developed,
they are brushed off the host plants and killed by hot water or sun drying and
marketed. Cochineal contains 10% caramic acid and is used for coloring
beverages, cakes, and sweets and for dyeing wool, silk and leather where
permanent coloring in required

46. INSECTS AS AESTHETIC VALUE
•Their shapes, wing color, and patterns have served as models for artists, florists,
textile designers and interior decorators.
•Because of their beauty, certain groups, especially butterflies, moths, beetles are
some times collected as a hobby.
•Some insects are embedded in clear materials from which jewellery, place mats paper
weights etc. are made.
•Ornaments like necklaces are made from whole bodies of some beautiful insects
especially beetles.
•In South Africa and Australia, native people use strings made of beautiful shells of
nymphs of certain scale insects.

50. II. INSECTS AS EDIBLE INSECTS
S.No. Name of the
country
Insets consumed as food
1 Mexico Bugs, beetles, ants, bees, moths and butterflies. Maguey
worm (Aegiale hesperiasis) are commonly eaten and
exported to other countries.
2 USA Crickets, grass hoppers, shore flies, pupae, caterpillars,
ants
3 Australia Bogong moth (Agrotis infusa and caterpillars of witchery
moth (Xyleutes leuchmochla)
4 Africa Mopane caterpillars, termites ,desert locusts
5 Asia Giant water bug (Lethocerus indicus), larvae and cacoons
of silkworm, grass hoppers
6 Japan Rice grass hoppers, locusts

51. II. SCAVENGERS
Order Scavenger Feed on
Coleoptera Dung/chafer beetle
(Scarabidae)
Dung and decaying
vegetable matter
Rove beetles
(Staphylinidae)
Dung, decaying animal
or plant matter
Skin beetles
(Dermestidae)
Dead animal matter
Carrion beetle (Silphidae) Dead animal and
vegetable refuse.
Darkling beetle
(Tenebrionidae)
Dung, dead animal, plant
matter

52. Diptera It is only the larvae which
feeds upon decaying matter
Ex: fungus gnats
(Mayceto philidae)
Decaying wood,
manure,
vegetable and
fungus growth.
Dady-long-legs (Tipulidae) Decaying
vegetable matter
Midges of gants
(Chironomidae)
Decaying
vegetable matter
Hover flies
(Syrphidae)
All kinds of
delaying matter

54. S.No. Name of the weed Name of the weed
killer
Remarks
1 Prickly pear
(Optunia Spp.)
Pyralid moth –
Cactoblastis cactorum
obtained from
Argentina
In Australia it
became an
extremely
aggressive
weed, infesting
25 million ha of
cultivable land
2 Opuntia dillenii Cochineal insect,
Dactylopius
tomentosus
In India
3 Lantana camara Lace bug –
Telenomia
scrupulosa,
Seedfly – Ophiomyia
lantanae from central
America origin
In India
II. WEED KILLERS

58. 4 St. John’s Wort or
Kalamath – Hypericum
perforatum
Leaf feeding
beetle,Chrysolina
5 Congress grass or carrot
weed – Parthenium
Beetle – Zyyogramma –
bicolorata
6 Water fern – Salvinia
molesta
Weevil – Cryptobagus
singularis

60. II. PARASITOIDS
S.No. Order Species Feeds on (host)
1 Hymeno
ptera
Family: Ichnnumonidae: Isotomia
javensis, Xanthopim plapunctata
Sugarcane top shoot
borer, rice stem
borer sorghum stem
borer
Family: Braconidae:
Braconbrevicornis, Cotesiaflavipes
Coconut black
headed caterpillar
larvae of stem borers
Family: Encyrtidae, Oenocyrtus
pyrillae
Eggs of sugarcane
pyrilla.
Family: Eulophidae: Tetrastichus Eggs of rice stem
borer
Trichospilus pupivora Pupae of coconut
black headed
caterpillars, maize
borers

61. 2. Diptera Family: Tachnidae:
Spoggosia bezziana
Maggots feed on
coconut black
headed caterpillar
Actia monticola Spodoptera
Poelomyia setosa Caster semi-looper

62. II. PREDATORS
S.
N
o.
Order Species Feeds on (prey)
1 Coleoptera Lady bird beetles
(Coccinellidae) – Brumus,
Scymmnus Spp
Aphids, coccids and
other soft bodied
insects
Vedalia beetle, Rodolia
cardinalis
Cottony cushion
scale, Icerya
purchasi
Cryptolaemus montrozieri Scales and mealy
bugs
Menochilus sexmaculate Aphids and mealy
bugs
Chilocoris nigritis Coconut scales
Ground beetle (Carabidae),
Callida splendidula
Coconut black
headed caterpillar

63. 2 Diptera Adult robber flies (Asilidae) Variety of insects
larva of Hover flies
(Syrphidae)
Aphids
3 Hymnemoptera Wasps (Vespidae) mud wasps
(Vespidae) Digger Wasps
(Sphecidae) Ants (Formicidae)
Various insects
caterpillars
4 Neuroptera Larva of aphid lions/green lace
wings (Chrysopidae)
Aphids, psyllids,
coccids, jassids
5 Dictyoptera Preying mantiad (Mantidae)
Mantis, religiosa
Caterpillars,
grasshoppers,
wasps, spiders
6 Odonata Naiads of dragon flies Aquatic insects s
Adults of dragon flies flies, moths,
mosquitoes
7 Hemiptera Stink bug, Ecanthana
furcellata (Pentatomidae)
Larvae of Red
hairy caterpillar
Assasin bug,Harpactorcostalis
(Reduvidae)
Red cotton bug

69. REFERENCES:
•Abrol, D.P.2010. Bees and Bee keeping in India. Kalyani Publishers, Ludhiana. Pp450
•David, B.V and Kumara Swami, T. 2016. Elements of Economic Entomology, Popular Book
Depot, Madras. Pp536
•Ganga, G and Sulochana Chetty, J. 2008. An introduction to sericulture. Oxford and IBH
Publishing Co.Pvt.Ltd., New Delhi. Pp160
•Gautam, R.D.2008. Biological Pest Suppression
•Ghorai, N. 1995. Lac culture in India. International Books & Periodicals Supply Service.
•Jolly, M.S. 1987. Appropriate sericulture techniques . International center for training and
research in tropical sericulture, Mysore. Pp209
•Krishnaswami, S., Narasimma, M.N., Suryanarayan, S.K and Kumararaj,S. 1995. Silkworm
Rearing. Sericulture Manual 2. Oxford and IBH Publishing Co.Pvt.Ltd., New Delhi. Pp150
•Mishra, R.C.1995. Honeybees and their management in India. ICAR, New Delhi.
•Patnaik, R.K.2008. Mulberry Cultivation
•Rangaswami, G., Narasimhanna, M.N., Kasiviswanatham, K., Sastry, C.R and Jolly, M.S. 1995.
Mulberry Cultivation. Sericulture Manual 2. Oxford and IBH Publishing Co.Pvt.Ltd.,New Delhi.
Pp150
•Sailesh Chattopadhyay. 2011. Introduction to lac and lac culture. Tech. Bulletin.FBTI:01/2011
•Abrol, D.P.2010. Bees and Bee keeping in India. Kalyani Publishers, Ludhiana. Pp450
•David, B.V and Kumara Swami, T. 2016. Elements of Economic Entomology, Popular Book
Depot, Madras. Pp536
•Ganga, G and Sulochana Chetty, J. 2008. An introduction to sericulture. Oxford and IBH
Publishing Co.Pvt.Ltd., New Delhi. Pp160
•Gautam, R.D.2008. Biological Pest Suppression

70. MARKS ALLOTMENT
1. Mid semester Examination : 50M
2. Final Practical Examination : 25M
3. Class Work : 25M
Record: 10M
Observation Notes: 5M
Attendance: 3M
Discipline and attentive and answering: 2M
Internal Tests: 5M
4. Assignment : 25M
Power Point Presentation:10M
Model preparation:5M
Photo frame/Laminations :5M
Internal Write ups:5M

71. “Strive hard to make farming profitable and sustainable for the prosperous Nation”