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Effect of Different Host Plants on the Growth and Development of Epilachna Beetle, Epilachna Dodecastigma (wied)

M. S. Rahman
M.S student, Department of entomology, BAU, Mymensingh

M. A. Haque
Department of entomology BAU, Mymensingh

R. Islam
ORC, BARI, Gazipur

M. H. Rashid
ORC, BARI, Gazipur

M. A. Hannan
Farm division, BARI, Gazipur

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Experiments were conducted to study the biology and food consumption of epilachna beetle, Epilachna dodecastigma (Wied.) on three different host plants viz. ridged gourd, bitter gourd and brinjal. The larval period was significantly influenced by the type of the host plants. The highest larval period was observed on brinjal (29.88±0.78 days) and the lowest (17.40±1.02 days) on ridged gourd. The highest pupal duration (7.5±0.71 days) was observed on brinjal and lowest (6.0±0.63 days) on ridged gourd. Adult longevity was longest on ridged gourd (26±1.67 days) and shortest on bitter gourd (15.29±1.39 days). Mean food consumption by a single larva during its whole larval period was the highest on bitter gourd (921.14±671.70 mm²) and the lowest on ridged gourd (609.6±178.74 mm2). The mean food consumption by a single adult beetle during its whole adult life was highest on ridged gourd (4981.0±430.13 mm²) and lowest on bitter gourd (2578.57±793.56 mm²).

Keywords: Epilachna Beetle, Biology, Bbrinjal, Ridged gourd, Bitter gourd

Location: Department of Entomology, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh

Start Date: 00-01-2008

End Date: 00-03-2008

Program Area: Development of Host and Medicinal Plants

Commodity: Insects

Objectives:

1. To study the biology of Epilachna dodecastigma on different host plants under laboratory conditions and to determine the food consumption of larva and adult of E. dodecastigma on the leaves of different host plants.

Methodology:

Experiments on the biology and food consumption of epilachna beetle, E. dodecastigma (Wied.) were conducted on three different host plants in the laboratory of the Department of Entomology, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh during January to March, 2008. The prevailing room temperature and relative humidity was 20±1ºC and 75±5%, respectively. Food Source - Brinjal (Solanum melongena Linn. family: Solanaceae), ridged gourd (Luffa acutangula Roxb., family: Cucurbitaceae), bitter gourd (Momordica charantia, family: Cucurbitaceae) were used as food for E. dodecastigma. All the host plants were collected from the field of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh. Stock Culture of the Test Insect - In order to meet the supply of the test insect, a stock culture of large number of larvae and adult beetles of E. dodecastigma was established in the laboratory. Adults of E. dodecastigma were collected from Cucurbitaceous and Solanaceous plants of BINA campus, BAU, Mymensingh. Breeding and rearing of the collected insects were done in petri dishes (15.0 cm dia). Adult beetles were sexed and confined in pairs in the petri dishes for mating and egg laying. Fresh and healthy leaves of three different host plants were supplied everyday for each individual pair of insects separately. The leaves were renewed everyday. After oviposition, adult beetles were transferred in different petri dishes and the eggs were left undisturbed for hatching. Immediately after hatching of eggs, the larvae were transferred in several petri dishes, 10 larvae per petri dish were reared up to adult emergence. The newly emerged adults were again sexed and confined in pairs in petri dishes for mating and laying eggs. This culture was maintained in order to avoid the effect of previous food plants on the biology of the test insect. Biology - From laboratory stock, immediately after hatching, young larvae of E. dodecastigma were carefully collected with the help of a soft camel hair brush and transferred to previously marked petri dish (dia. 9.0cm). One larva was kept in each petri dish having fresh and tender leaves of three different food plants separately. The experiment for each host was replicated ten times. Fresh leaves of three different host plants were given to the larvae at every 24 hours interval and uneaten leaves along with faeces were removed. The larvae were checked regularly until pupation to record the number of larval instars and their durations. The pupae were kept in the respective petri dishes without causing any disturbance until the adult emergence to record the pupal period. After emergence the adults were kept in the respective petri dishes till death and adult longevity were recorded. Food Consumption - Food consumption of E. dodecastigma was estimated by exposing the larvae as well as adult beetles on different food plants. The larvae and adult beetles were allowed individually to feed on leaves of ridged gourd, bitter gourd and brinjal till death. The leaf area consumed by each larva and adult beetle was measured daily by using a square millimeter graph paper. Statistical Analysis of Data - Data obtained from the experiments on the biology and food consumption of E. dodecastigma on three different plants were analyzed using analysis of variance in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and mean values were ranked by Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test, DMRT.

Source of Information: BANGLADESH RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS JOURNAL ; ISSN: 1998-2003, Volume: 2, Issue: 3, Page: 592-596, May - June, 2009

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Food consumptions by adult beetles of E. dodeastigma were reported to be 18832.0 mm² on bitter gourd and 537.44±41.95 mm² on ridged gourd, 587.48±51.80 mm² on brinjal These findings indicated that there are considerable variations in adult food consumption and such variations due to the experimental time, suitability of host-plants as food and their variability in food value.

Knowledge Management: Journal