Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Host Preference of Epilachna Beetle, Epilachna Dodecastigma (wied.) Among Cucurbitaceous Vegetables

M. Asafuddaullah
Department of Entomology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

M.M. Uddin
Department of Entomology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

K.S. Islam
Department of Entomology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

M.T.H. Howlader
Department of Entomology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

M.M. Rahman
Department of Entomology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A series of experiments were carried out at the field and laboratory of the Department of Entomology, Bangladesh Agricultural University to determine the host preference of Epilachna beetle, Epilachna dodecastigma (Wied.) among four cucurbitaceous crops viz. cucumber, bottle Gourd, sweet Gourd and bitter Gourd. Three varieties of each crop were tested. Data on insect incidence, infestation, food consumption and fecundity of E. dodecastigma were collected. The highest number of Epilachna beetle was recorded on cucumber and the lowest was on bottle Gourd both in open field and in net cage condition. Among the varieties, the highest insect incidence was recorded on Sitol Sosa and the lowest was on BARI Lau-4 both in open field and in net cage. The highest leaf and twig infestation was found on cucumber crop and its’ Sitol Sosa variety, while the lowest was on bottle Gourd crop and its' BARI Lau-4 variety in both open field and in net cage. The Epilachna beetle showed the similar host preference in case of daily food consumption and oviposition rate both in net cage and laboratory condition. Thus, considering the insect incidence, infestation, food consumption and fecundity, the crop cucumber and the tested Sitol Sosa variety appeared to be the most preferred host for Epilachna beetle.

Keywords: Host; Preference; Epilachna dodecastigma; Cucurbit; Vegetable

Location: Field and laboratory of the Department of Entomology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Pest Management

Commodity: Insects

Objectives:

To determine the host preference of Epilachna beetle, Epilachna dodecastigma (Wied.) among four cucurbitaceous crops viz. cucumber, bottle Gourd, sweet Gourd and bitter Gourd.

Methodology:

Experimental layout and field experiment: The field experiments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replications. The field was divided into 36 plots of each 2.35m × 2.35m size. Distance of 1m between blocks and 07m between the plots was kept to facilitate different intercultural operations. Quality seeds of bottle gourd (BARI Lau-4, BARI Lau-3, Local Bottle gourd), bitter Gourd (Taj Korola-88, BARI Karola 1, Local Bitter Gourd), sweet gourd (BARI Misti Kumra-1, BARI Misti Kumra-2, Local Sweet Gourd) and cucumber (Local Cucumber, Sitol Sosa, Boro Sosa) were collected from Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute, Gazipur and from Mymensingh town, Bangladesh. The seedlings were developed in poly bags. Fifteen days old seedlings were transplanted to the main field. All recommended standard horticultural practices were performed. Bamboo creeping was made allowing easy creeping and preventing the plant from lodging. Mass culture of the Epilachna beetle: The adult beetles were collected from the field, brought to laboratory and paired in separate petridish (15 cm diameter). Fresh and healthy leaves of different vegetables were provided everyday as food. After egg laying, adult beetles were removed for uninterrupted hatching. After hatching, the grubs were transferred in several petridishes. Ten larvae per petridish were reared up to adult emergence. Adult obtained from the mass culture was used for net and laboratory experiments. Incidence of the Epilachna beetles in the field and net cage condition: The incidence of Epilachna beetles was determined on the basis of the number of the beetles and larvae per plant. The number of beetles and larvae were counted at 30, 60 and 90 days after transplanting. Pooled mean for the four crops viz. sweet Gourd, bottle Gourd, bitter Gourd and cucumber as well as the mean value of three varieties of each crop was calculated. Twelve varieties of four cucurbits with three replication of each were grown in the earthen pots were enclosed with mosquito net. Sixty beetles were released in each cage and the number of insects per plant at 6, 12 and 18 day after release in net cage was recorded. Mean population for each crop and varieties were calculated by the procedures followed for field condition mentioned above. Percentage of leaf and twig infestation in the field and net condition: Total number of leaf and twig and number of infested leaf and twig was recorded at ten days interval. Thereafter, mean percentage of infested leaf and twig at seedling stage, mature stage and fruiting stage were calculated for the each crop and respective varieties. In net cage, same kinds of data were recorded at two days interval and mean percentage infestation per day for the each crop and respective varieties were calculated. Food consumption in net cage and laboratory condition: Food consumption of E. dodecastigma was estimated. The leaf area (mm²) consumed on each variety was recorded at 2 days interval for twenty days in net cage by using square millimeter graph paper. Finally total consumed area and daily average consumed leaf area on each variety was calculated. Fecundity: Fecundity was calculated only in net cage condition by releasing thirty pairs of adult Epilachna beetles. Data analysis: Data from different experiments were analyzed using a statistical package program MSTAT-C. The mean values were ranked by Duncan's New Multiple Range Test.

Source of Information: Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 3(2): 352-358, 2015

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1. Government

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Sitol Sosa ranked highest and the BARI Lau-4 ranked lowest on all the parameters measured in both field and laboratory experiments. Thus, our data revealed that the crop cucumber and variety Sitol Sosa were the mostly preferable and crop bottle gourd and variety BARI Lau-4 were the least preferable to the Epilachna beetle.

Knowledge Management: Journal