The goal of this study is to identify and characterize the cellulose degrading microorganisms in the larval gut of the white grub beetle, Lepidiota mansueta. Thirty bacterial strains were isolated and tested for cellulolytic activity using soluble carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) degrading assays. Of these strains, five (FGB1, FB2, MB1, MB2, and HB1) degrade cellulose. Cellulolytic activity was determined based on formation of clear zone and cellulolytic index on CMC plate media. The highest cellulolytic index (2.14) was found in FGB1. Partial 16S rDNA sequencing, morphological, and biochemical tests were used to identify and characterize the five isolates, all Citrobacter sp. (Enterobacteriaceae). This study identifies new cellulose degrading microorganisms from the larval gut of L. mansueta. The significance of identifying these strains lies in possible application in cellulose degradation.

A study was conducted covering a total of one hundred chicken farmers in tribal dominated Boko Block of Kamrup district in Assam to assess different productive and reproductive traits of Desi, Vanaraja and Srinidhi birds under field condition. Information was obtained on mean body weight at various ages, age at first egg, annual egg production, fertility and hatchability and mortality rate. Body weight, egg production and egg weight were significantly (P0.05) higher in Vanaraja and Srinidhi birds compared to Desi chicken. The age at first egg was significantly (P0.05) higher in Desi chicken while compared with Vanaraja and Srinidhi under traditional system of management. However no significant (P0.05) difference was found between Vanaraja and Srinidhi in their body weight and egg production at various ages. Higher mortality percent in Vanaraja (12.23±1.62) and Srinidhi (11.34±1.23) were recorded during 0 to 5 week. No significant (P0.05) differences were found among all three groups of birds in fertility and hatchability.

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the first Indian phytophagous white grub species with nonfeeding adults.

The southern cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is one of the most important tick species affecting bovine wealth worldwide. Three uninterrupted generations of this species were observed under laboratory conditions (28±3 oC and 80±5% R.H.) using rabbit hosts. The average life cycle was determined as 65±8 days. Adult feeding period averaged 7.1±1.24 days. Pre-oviposition and oviposition periods averaged 4.1±1.3 days and 8.6±0.85 days, respectively. Pre-hatching periods averaged 21.03±2.99 days. Larval free-living and feeding to moulting periods averaged 3.5±0.75 days and 7.9±0.69 days, respectively. Nymphal feeding to moulting periods averaged 10.9±1.38 days. Weights of unfed and fed females averaged 1.26±0.29 mg and 120.32±45.6 mg, respectively and produced egg masses with average weights of 29.5±9.03 mg. Number of eggs per female averaged 1455.3±434.5 eggs with peak oviposition on the 3rd day. Average hatching rate was 83.5±2.94%, and the reproduction efficiency index averaged at 12.79±2.85. The conversion efficiency index averaged at 0.26±0.05 and the reproduction fitness index averaged at 10.68±2.4. Tick recovery rate averaged at 4.7%. A strong linear relationship was found between weights of engorged females and weights of egg masses (r = 0.83) and also between weights of engorged females and number of eggs laid (r = 0.82). This work aims to describe temporal and quantitative biological facts of R. (B.) microplus life cycles. Few studies have discussed R. (B.) microplus biology in quantitative terms, and these data can be useful in designing control plans or in epidemiological studies under laboratory conditions.