On the Incidence, Biotic Potency and Control of the Uzi Fly, Exorista Sorbillans Wiedemann, A Parasitoid of Silkworm, Bombyx Mori L.

Abstract

The silkworm rearers in Bangladesh are menacingly facing the infestation of the Uzi fly that causes severe damage to the silkworm cocoon crops. According to Rahman and Rahman (1976, 1978), the Uzi fly is a serious larval and pupal endoparasite of silkworm in Bangladesh, which takes a heavy toll during silkworm rearing. The author reviewed related literature available up to date which are briefly presented. Tachinid flies are known to parasitise the silkworm, B. mori and are called the Uzi flies. Records on the infestation of the Uzi fly on silkworm in silkgrowing countries exhibited that at least four species of this parasitoid attack the silkworm (Tanaka, 1964 and Jollyð€€Š 1967). These flies are identified as: the Japanese Uzi fly, Crossocosmia sericariae (Rondani); the Hime Uzi fly, Blepharipa zeb.ina Walker and the Indian Uzi fly, Exorista bombycis (Louis). The common name "Uji" is known to appear in the history of this insect from the name of a place of Japan where the tachinid parasite of silkworm was first reported(Maxwell-Lefroy, 1917). Subsequently, it was also called "the Bengal fly pest" or "the Bengal silkworm fly" and the scientific name given to this fly was Oestrus bengalensis. -------------