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Maruca Testulalis (lepidoptera: Pyralidae): an Important Pest of Countrybean in Bangladesh

G. P. Das
Division of Entomology. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute Gazipur, Bangladesh.

M. A. Islam
Division of Entomology. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute Gazipur, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The larva of Maruca testulalis (Geyer) fed on the flower bud, flower and ate into the pods of the countrybean. Besides countrybean, it also attacked blackgram, cowpea, pigeonpea, mungbean and soybean, field pea and grass pea under field and laboratory conditions respectively. Of the different stages of insect's life cycle, the incubation period averaged 6.5±0.21 days. The larva underwent four moultings. Durations of the larval instars averaged 3.7±0.20, 3.2±0.14, 2.5±0.16, 2.4±0.15 and 4.5±0.16 days respectively. The pupal period averaged 7.9±0.30 days. The preoviposition period, fecundity and percent egg-hatchability averaged 2.55±0.1 I days, 91.55±6.23 and 92.57±1.15 respectively. The longevity of the male and female moths was 7.35±0.25 days and 10.8±0.18 days respectively. The recorded larval para site was a braconid, Bracon greeni Ashmead.

Keywords: Pest, Countrybean, Host range

Location: Central Experimental Station of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh.

Start Date: 00-10-1982

End Date: 00-02-1983

Program Area: Pest Management

Commodity: Insects, Country bean

Objectives:

To includes the nature and extent of damage, life history, host range, host preference and parasite of the pest.

Methodology:

The study was carried out in the laboratory of the Entomology Division during October, 1982-February, 1983 with an average daily room temperature of 26.5± 1.5°C as well as in the farm of the Central Experimental Station of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh. A large number of mature larvae were collected from a severely infested country bean field and reared in the laboratory. Pupae were collected and held in plastic pots. Upon emergence, the moths were kept in glass jars for mating and egg laying. The inner surface of each jar was covered with white paper and the top with fine mesh cotton cloth. Cotton wad soaked with 10% sugar solution was placed in each jar to supply food for the moths. The eggs were collected and held in petridishes, each of which was supplied with cotton wad soaked with water to provide required humidity for egg hatching. The incubation period was noted. The newly hatched larvae were isolated in plastic pots with lids having pin-hole perforations, Cut pieces of young bean pods were placed in the pots to provide food for the larvae. The perforations in the lids prevented accumulation of water droplets in the pots. The food was replaced as and when necessary, The larval moulting were confirmed by locating the head capsules. The time and number of moulting for each larva were recorded. To locate the head capsules, especially at early instars, often binocular microscope was used. Pupal period and the sex ratio of the adults were also determined. Immediately upon emergence from the pupal skins, adults were sexed and twenty pairs of moths were held in petridishes to determine their preoviposition period, fecundity, egg hatchability and longevity. The paired insects were provided with 10% sugar solution as their food. To determine the extent of damage in terms of the number of pods required to complete larval development twenty mature bean pods were isolated in glass jars. A healthy newly hatched larva was introduced in each pod through a small slit artificially made at one end of the pod. The top of each jar was covered with cheese cloth. Cotton wad soaked with water was kept in each jar to prevent quick drying of the pods. The frass coming out of the entry slit was regularly removed to check the growth of fungus on the pods. Field collected larvae were reared in the laboratory for parasite emergence. The emerged parasites were preserved in 80% alcohol for identification. Field inspections were made in an attempt to observe the host range of the pest in nature. Under laboratory conditions pods of different crops were also supplied to the insect to ascertain whether they could develop on them.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Journal of Agriculture. Vol: 10 (No-1), pp: 57-66, 1985

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Besides countrybean, it also attacked blackgram, cowpea, pigeonpea, mungbean and soybean, field pea and grass pea under field and laboratory conditions respectively. Of the different stages of insect's life cycle, the incubation period averaged 6.5±0.21 days. The larva underwent four moultings. Durations of the larval instars averaged 3.7±0.20, 3.2±0.14, 2.5±0.16, 2.4±0.15 and 4.5±0.16 days respectively. The pupal period averaged 7.9±0.30 days. The preoviposition period, fecundity and percent egg-hatchability averaged 2.55±0.1 I days, 91.55±6.23 and 92.57±1.15 respectively. The longevity of the male and female moths was 7.35±0.25 days and 10.8±0.18 days respectively. The recorded larval parasite was a braconid, Bracon greeni Ashmead.

Knowledge Management: Journal