Experimental details:

The investigation was carried out in the F. semialata Garden, Department of Entomology, N. M. College of Agriculture, NAU, Navsari maintained for lac cultivation. The observations on insect pest associated with F. semialata recorded at weekly interval. The data recorded on different parameters were subjected to appropriate statistical analysis.

Observations recorded:

Foliage feeders:

The observations on foliage feeders associated with F. semialata recorded from randomly selected 50 plants. Thus, incidence of foliage feeders per plant worked out.

Sucking pests:

The nymph and adults of sucking pests were recorded from three leaves i.e., top, middle and lower leaves on 50 randomly selected plants. Thus, average population of nymph and adults per leaf were worked out.

Aphid: The population of aphid recorded by using the index suggested by Bank (1954) with sligh modification. Accordingly, the aphid infestation was assigned in to following index.

Pod fly:

One hundred mature pods were plucked randomly from the plot and brought to the laboratory for recording pod fly infestation. The observations on number of pods and seeds damaged by the pod fly were recorded. Thus, per cent pod and seed damage were worked out.

The immature stages of the insects-pests were also collected and reared in the laboratory condition till the adult emergence. The adult insects were also collected and killed in killing jar, mounted either on insect pins or paper points depending on its size and labelled properly. They were preserved in insect collection boxes using naphthalene balls as repellent. Soft bodied insects were preserved in 70 per cent alcohol. The taxonomic study was conducted under the stereo-binocular microscope. The important taxonomic characters of the collected specimens were identified by using dichotomous keys, visual observation and confirmed with the help of published literature. The unidentified specimens sent to The Director, Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums, Namkum, Ranchi (Jharkhand) – 834010 for identification

The activity of natural enemy fauna on insect-pests of F. semialata if any was also recorded. The photographic catalogue of available insect-pests and its natural enemies were prepared. The data on insect-pests of F. semialata and its natural enemy fauna was correlated with prevailing weather parameters.