Insect Vectors and Plant Pathogens

Professor Nachhattar Singh Butter was born on October 13, 1948, in the small village of Bathinda district in the Punjab state of India. After completion of schooling from a rural village in 1967, joined Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, and did BSc (Ag) in 1971, MSc (Entomology) in 1973 and Ph.D. (Entomology) in 1976. Being a meritorious student, Dr. Butter was awarded merit scholarship both in Bachelor and Masters programs and Senior Fellowship, CSIR during Ph.D. The fellowship was later on converted into Post Doctorate Fellowship on the completion of a degree in Nov.1976 to work in the field of insect vectors. It continued up to Feb 1977 on joining of the post of Assistant professor.He continued to work till his promotion as Entomologist in July 1987. In March 1994 he joined as a professor.After serving as professor up to June 2006,he took over as Head, Department of Entomology and continued to discharge administrative duties till superannuation in Oct 2008. He developed Integrated Pest Management system for cotton crop in Punjab and Indian Society for Cotton Improvement, Mumbai, honored him with Hexamar Award, 1992 for outstanding research contributions in cotton. He guided nine post graduate students in Entomology and taught both under- and post- graduate courses in Entomology. He has published 77 research articles in journals of repute besides 200 popular articles, 22 presented papers in seminars /workshops. He has four books to his credit in addition to contributed chapters in books and laboratory manuals. Dr. Butter has delivered 44 Radio /TV talks and 200 lectures to farmers on important topics.He is instrumental in establishing plant clinic in PAU, the model of which was emulated throughout the country. Dr. Butter visited erstwhile USSR in 1987 to study Integrated Pest Management in cotton as a member of the 2-men delegation. For the outstanding contributions in research teaching and extension in agriculture, the State Govt awarded him Punjab Sarkar Parman Patra, 2002. Dr. Butter is a fellow of Entomological Society of India and The Indian Society for the Advancement of Insect Science.

The book includes important topics especially the role of transmission determinants, mycoplasma details, new developments in whitefly vector and effect of pathogen on vector (lacking in all the old books) and latest control strategy involving the use of transgenics, cross protection in addition to latest developments in science of insect vectors

Introduction: Historical Background, Symptoms, Pathogens and Economic Importance. Modes of Spread of Plant Pathogens. Feeding Mechanism of Vectors and Plant Pathogens. APHIDS. Leaf Hoppers/Plant Hoppers/Tree Hoppers/Frog Hoppers/Psylla/ Mealy Bugs/Scale Insects. Whiteflies. Heteropterous Bugs and Thrips. Insect Vectors with Chewing Mouthparts. MITES. Nematodes. Fungi. Phytotoxemia. Plant Pathogens and Electron Microscope. Pathogen Effects and Ecological Factors. Vector-Virus Management Strategies.