Feeding efficiency and behaviour of different age Groups of Zygogramma bicolorata P Mexican Beetle, on Parthenium hysterophorus L. in Raipur, Chhattisgarh

Author: Sachin Kumar Jaiswal, Jayalaxmi Ganguli and Ankita Singh

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Abstract

The noxious and problematic weed, Parthenium hysterophorus belongs to family Asteraceae (Linnaeus), well known worldwide as ‘carrot grass’ or ‘white top’ or ‘congress grass’ and ‘gajar ghans’ or ‘chatak chandni’ in hindi. A different combination of integrated approach can be used to manage Parthenium hysterophorus effectively. The biological control of Parthenium was inspect through a leaf beetle, at laboratory of Biocontrol, Department of Entomology, IGKV, Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Z. bicolorata is not yet well established and spread in Chhattisgarh though it is considered as a safe biocontrol agent. Therefore, to investigate the feeding behaviour and feeding efficiency of the Mexican beetle, Z. bicolorata, on three different age group of host plant i.e. early stage, pre-reproductive and reproductive stage of Parthenium present study was carried out by releasing various numbers of beetles i.e. 2, 3, 4 and 5 pairs. In the feeding behaviour of Mexican beetle, Z. bicolorata, it was observed that the newly hatched grubs initially fed on the leaf area adjoining to the oviposition site and then migrated to the terminal and axillary buds. Later on, the grubs moved onto the leaf blades as they grew. Younger grubs preferred to feed on tender leaves, whereas older grubs fed on matured leaves. The younger grubs started feeding from the leaf margin and moved inwards, while adult beetles started feeding from the leaf margin and moved all over the plants parts. As far as feeding efficiency was concerned, on the basis of overall mean of two years data, minimum time taken was (3.50days) for complete defoliation by 5 pairs of beetles followed by (4.50 days) by three pairs whereas, maximum time was taken by 2 pairs of Z. bicolorata (17.00 days) for complete defoliation of a single plant.

Keywords

Parthenium hysterophorus, Mexican beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata, feeding behaviour, defoliation

Conclusion

Thus, on testing the feeding of Mexican beetle, Z. bicolorata, by releasing various numbers of beetles viz., 2, 3, 4 and 5 pairs on three different age groups of host plant i.e. early stage, pre-reproductive and reproductive stage of the noxious and problematic weed P. hysterphorus for two years, results revealed that, minimum time taken was (3.50 days) for complete defoliation by 5 pairs of beetles followed by (4.50 days) by three pairs whereas, maximum time was taken by 2 pairs of Z. bicolorata (17.00 days) for complete defoliation. Hence, for the biological control of Parthenium weed, 3 to 5 pairs of beetles/plant can be recommended.

References

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How to cite this article

Sachin Kumar Jaiswal, Jayalaxmi Ganguli and Ankita Singh (2023). Feeding efficiency and behaviour of different age Groups of Zygogramma bicolorata P Mexican Beetle, on Parthenium hysterophorus L. in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(6): 628-635.