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Clinical bacterial pathogens front a major challenge for the clinical researchers and physicians. In particular microbial pathogens like Escherichia coli, Shigella flexneri, Klebsiella pneumonia and Salmonella enterica are apparelled with systemic machineries to bring down the human immune system as well as proliferate dramatically in a short period which in turn cause a pronounced ailment to the human health. In vitro evaluation of four purified compounds isolated from rhizosphere bacterium Exiguobacterium mexicanum tested against clinical pathogens mentioned above by disc diffusion method showed the two compounds viz., 3,6,18-trione, 9,10-dihydro-12'-hydroxyl-2methyl-5-(phenyl methyl) (5'-alpha, 10-alpha)-dihydroergotamine (C3) and dipropyl - S-propyl ester (C4) exhibit antibacterial property against all the tested pathogens. Among the four clinical pathogens tested, compound C3 has shown higher zone of inhibition against S. enterica with 17±0 mm, followed by S. flexneri with 16.5±0.7 mm, E. coli with 15±0 mm and K. pneumoniae with 14±0 mm, respectively. The compound C4 has shown higher antimicrobial activity against S. enterica with 21.5±0.7 mm zone of inhibition, followed by S. flexneri with 19.5±0.7 mm, E. coli with 17±0 mm and K. pneumoniae with 16±0 mm, these two compounds were found to be safer when subjected to rat haematological and enzymatic analysis.

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The population dynamics of Diaphania indica (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) was studied using partial life-tables. The study revealed that April-September was the peak period of incidence of the pest while November-February was the lowest. The biotic mortality factors recorded in the present study were parasitism by the following: Apanteles taragamae Viereck, A. machaeralis Wilkinson (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Goniozus sensorius Gordh (Hym: Bethylidae), Trathala flavoorbitalis (Cam.) (Hym: Ichneumonidae), Elasmus brevicornis Gahan (Hym: Elasmidae) and Phanerotoma hendecasisella Cam. (Hym: Braconidae). Among these, A. taragamae was the key mortality factor of D. indica. The study also revealed that only two of the six parasites exercised an important role in the population dynamics of D. indica. The combined action of these two parasites from January to March and October to December was significant in keeping the population index lower than during the months when these parasites were absent.

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Frederick Institute of plant protection and toxicologyPadappai-601 301, T.N., IndiaThe survey for the natural enemies associated with the pumpkin caterpillar, Diaphania indica revealed the presence of 20 species of parasitoids, predators and pathogens. Of these, 16 were parasitoids belonging to the families Braconidae, lchneumonidae, BethylMae, Elasmidae and Chalcididae. Except for 3 species the remaining parasitoids were new records for D. indica. The predators recorded were ants and spiders. A microsporidia also was recorded for the first time on D. indica. KEY-WORDS : Diaphania indica, natural enemies.The pumpkin caterpillar, Diaphania indica (Saunders) has been reported from several parts of India and other regions of the world causing damage to various cucurbitaceous plants. Patel & Kulkarny (1956) have conducted detailed studies on the biology of this insect in Gujarat on Coccinia grandis (L.) Voight. Ba-Angood (1979) studied the biology of D. indica in Peoples Democratic Republic of Yemen. However, both these workers have not recorded the natural enemies associated with this insect pest. In the present study, an intensive field survey was carried out for 3 years to determine the natural enemy complex associated with Diaphania indica attacking cultivated cucurbits in Tamil Nadu.A periodic survey was carried out for 3 years in various districts of Tamil Nadu. But the main part of this study was conducted on unsprayed crop of cucurbits maintained on the research farm at Padappai. Eggs, larvae and pupae were collected from all cultivated cucurbits throughout the year. Larvae were brought to the laboratory and reared on Coccinia leaves in glass specimen tubes (4 • 2 cm) covered with cotton plugs. Eggs and larva were reared up to the pupal stage and the parasitoids which emerged during the larval stage were preserved. Field collected pupae were enclosed and the parasitoids emerging were recorded. The activity of predators were observed in the field and specimens of these predators were collected. These specimens were sent to various specialists for species determination. Voucher specimens were deposited in the reference collection at the