Laboratory Evaluation Of Coccinella Septempunctata Predation On Aphids And Mealybugs

Abstract

A study was done at SRM College of Agricultural Sciences (SRMCAS), Baburayanpettai, to find out if the ladybird beetle Coccinella septumpunctata could eat aphids and mealy bugs in Bhendi crops.In a free-choice test, results revealed that aphids were slightly more preferred (94.5%) than mealy bugs (84.82%), when both were exposed together to adults of Coccinella septumpunctata. In the no-choice test, we fed aphids and mealy bugs individually to Coccinella septumpunctata. The prevalence of mealy bugs was 71.33 percent after 24 hours; however, it increased to 92.00 percent after 96 hours. The overall mealy bug consumption varied from 21.4 ± 0.92 to 25.6 ± 0.67 per day. The mean number of aphids consumed by the predator varied from 24.4 ± 0.97 to 27.6 ± 1.16 per day, and the percent predation was 81.33 percent after 24 hours, and it increased to 92.00 percent after 96 hours.