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Potentiality of Red Pumpkin Beetle, Aulacophora Foveicollis and Epilachna Beetles, Epilachna Dodecastigma

Md. Mahbubur Rahman
Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Mohammad Mahir Uddin
Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Experiments were carried out in the field and in the laboratory of the Department of Entomology, Bangladesh Agricultural University during the period from February to August, 2013. Three cucurbitaceous vegetables viz. bitter gourd, ridge gour d and snake gourd were used as test crops. Considering to percent leaf infestation and leaf area consumptions, red pumpkin beetle was found mostly harmful to snake gourd (22.62% and 8.84%, respectively) but least harmful to bitter gourd (3.00% and 1.25%, respectively). On the other hand, Epilachna beetle was found mostly damaging to bitter gourd (46.00% and 21.67% respectively) and least damaging to ridge gourd (11.20% and 5.00%, respectively). Similar to the field experiments, red pumpkin beetle consumed more leaf areas of snake gourd (up to 43.36%) and Epilachna beetle (both adult and grubs) consumed more leaf areas of bitter gourd (up to 91.46%) in the laboratory experiments. Bitter gourd (1.42%) and ridge gourd (0.78% to 41.27%) were least preferable to the red pumpkin beetle and Epilachna beetle, respectively.

Keywords: Ridge gourd, Bitter gourd, Snake gourd, Leaf infestation

Location: Department of Entomology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Start Date: 00-02-2013

End Date: 00-08-2013

Program Area: Pest Management

Commodity: Insects

Objectives:

To ascertain comparative host preference, food consumption and damage potentially Red pumpkin beetle and Epilachna beetle

Methodology:

Experiments were conducted in field laboratory and in the laboratory, of the Department of Entomology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during February to August 2013. In the field experiment, the land was ploughed with a power tiller and kept open to sunlight for few days. The land was then gradually ploughed and cross-ploughed for several times with a power tiller to obtain desirable tilth. All ploughing operations were followed by laddering for breaking up the clods and leveling the surface of the soil. All weeds and stubbles were removed from the field and finally, the unit plots were prepared as 10 cm raised beds along with the addition of the manures and basal doses of fertilizers. The whole experimental field was divided into 9 equal plots (2m×2m) and one pit was prepared in the middle of each plot. Three cucurbitaceous vegetables such as bitter gourd, snake gourd and ridge gourd were used in the experiments with three replications of each. Before sowing, seeds were soaked overnight for proper germination. Three seeds were sown in each pit and one healthy seedling per pit was maintained through thinning at 7 days after germination. Each plant was supported by bamboo platform (bamboo matchan) for easy creeping and preventing from lodging. The seedlings were maintained following all recommended horticultural practices. Percent leaf infestation and leaf area consumption by both beetles and Epilachna grubs were used as a parameter for incidence and damage potentiality. Data were recorded at 10 days’ interval started from one month age of the plants. Comparative food consumption of Red pumpkin beetle, Epilachna beetle and Epilachna grubs were studied in the laboratory. Five Red pumpkin beetle, five Epilachna beetle and five Epilachna grubs, were released in separate petridishes containing three leaves (one leaf of each selected vegetables namely bitter gourd, snake gourd and ridge gourd). The set was replicated three times. The cut end of leaf petiole was covered with water- soaked cotton pad to prevent withering. Data on consumed leaf area by beetles and grubs were taken at daily basis and fresh leaves were replaced. Percent leaf area consumed (both in the field and in the laboratory) were calculated by using the following formula- % Leaf area consumed=(Consumed leaf area / Total leaf area) x 100. Where, Total leaf area ×100, Consumed leaf area was measured by using millimeter graph Total leaf area = L×B×K (Kalra and Dhiman, 1977), L= length of leaf, B= Breadth of leaf and K= Kemp’s constant, Data obtained from different experiments were analyzed using a statistical package program SPSS20. The mean values were ranked by Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5% level of probability.

Source of Information: Res. Agric. Livest. Fish. Vol. 3, No. 3, December 2016: 411-416

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

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Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Snake gourd followed by ridge gourd and bitter gourd were found mostly preferable vegetable to the Red pumpkin beetle which is supported by the observations of Singh et al. (2000); Sharma et al. (1999); Thapa and Neupane (1992). Kamal et al. (2014) also reported the bitter gourd as the lowest preferable to the Red pumpkin beetle. On the other hand, bitter gourd followed by snake gourd and ridge gourd were found mostly preferable vegetable to Epilachna beetle as well as to Epilachna grub which agrees the finding of Hossain et al. (2009) although it was contradictory to the finding of Rahman (2002). However, Bitter gourd was the most susceptible to pest infestation followed by snake gourd and ridge gourd. On the other hand, Epilachna beetle and grub were identified as damaging to the cucurbitaceous leaves than Red pumpkin beetle in both field and laboratory conditions.

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