Coccinella septumpunctata Linn. (Coleoptera: coccinellidae) as an effective biocontrol agent against Tetranychus urticae (Koch) (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Priyanka Mittal; Vinod Kumari; N P Singh

Volume : IV, Issue : XI, November - 2015

Coccinella septumpunctata Linn. (Coleoptera: coccinellidae) as an effective biocontrol agent against Tetranychus urticae (Koch) (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Priyanka Mittal, Vinod Kumari, N P Singh

Abstract :

Coccinella septumpunctata Linn. was recorded along with mite feeding on Ashwagandha, as a dominant predator, therefore, feeding efficiency of C. Septumpunctata was evaluated in the laboratory. The experiments were conducted in laboratory at Department of Zoology, B.B.D. Government college, Chimanpura ranging from 26�C to 32�C temperature with 60 to 77% relative humidity (RH). The data revealed that first, second, third and fourth instar grubs and adult devoured 34.7�0.47, 50.1�0.48, 70.4�0.6, 134.7�0.63 and 84.5�0.54 mites per day, respectively, out of 200 mites provided to them. It was found that as the age of grubs advanced, the predation rate also increased. Observations on the predatory potential of C. septumpunctata revealed significant reduction in the number of the two spotted spider mite and the consumption rates of all stages of the predator appeared to be statistically significant. In the light of the results of the current study, C. septumpunctata can be recommended as an effective biocontrol agent against T. urticae.