Study on Biology and Feeding Potential of Three Striped Ladybird Beetle, Brumoides suturalis (Fab.) on Cotton Mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley

Author: B. Shailaja and S.K. Mandal

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Abstract

Three striped lady bird beetle, Brumoides suturalis (Fab.) found to be a voracious feeder of different stages of mealybugs on agricultural and horticultural crops. The larvae and adults of this beetles feed and give good management of mealybugs. So, a laboratory study was conducted at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal to study the biology and feeding potential of Brumoides suturalis (Fab.) on P. solenopsis. The results showed that a single female laid 137-192(av. 169.10 ± 14.91) eggs in 27 – 36(av. 32.40 ± 3.10) days. This stage lasted for 3-4 (av. 3.70 ± 0.48) days. The total larval stage in B. suturalis occupied 12 - 16 (av. 13.00 ± 1.74) days during which the grub passed through four instars. The adult beetle emerged out after a pupal period of 4 – 5 (av. 4.20 ± 0.42) days. The total life cycle from egg to adult emergence took 19 - 25 (av. 20.90 ± 2.64) days. The male and female ratio was 1:1.40 and adult lived for 11 – 38 (av. 23.10 ± 8.56) days. During their development first, second, third and fourth instar larvae B. suturalis consumed a total of 20.80 ± 4.39, 64.99 ± 11.99, 107.40 ± 10.73 and 139.80 ± 13.10 eggs of the prey, P. solenopsis in 2 - 3, 3 - 4, 4 - 5 and 3 - 4 days of their duration. Meanwhile, the larvae of B. suturalis fed on nymphs of P. solenopsis the first, second, third and fourth instar larvae they consumed 6.20 ± 1.23, 24.60 ± 4.43, 66.80 ± 6.70 and 78.80 ± 6.14 nymphs in 2 - 3, 3 - 4, 3 - 4 and 3 - 4 days, respectively. When the larvae of B. suturalis fed on P. solenopsis it consumed a total of 332.99 ± 40.21 eggs and 176.40 ± 18.50 nymphs in its larval period.

Keywords

Three striped ladybird beetle, fecundity, adult longevity, P. solenopsis

Conclusion

The results of the laboratory experiments conducted revealed that the predominant coccidophagous predatory coccinellids B. sururalis have been the most effective as biological control agents for management of P. solenopsis. When the grubs of B. suturalis fed on nymphs of P. solenopsis, it consumed 176.40 ± 18.50 eggs in duration of 12-16 days total larval period. Meanwhile, it consumed a total of 332.99 ± 40.21 eggs in its total larval period. The predatory potential of B. sururalis on eggs and nymphs of P. solenopsis increased in the successive larval instars.

References

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How to cite this article

B. Shailaja and S.K. Mandal (2023). Study on Biology and Feeding Potential of Three Striped Ladybird Beetle, Brumoides suturalis (Fab.) on Cotton Mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(10): 1170-1173.