Role of Pedobius foveolatus (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in the biocontrol of the brinjal spotted leaf beetle, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

摘要

Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Fabr.) is a notorious pest of brinjal in India and apart from infesting the egg plant, it is also known to occur on other economically important solanaceous vegetable crops and weed hosts. The damage caused by feeding on the foliage of these plants range from a little over 10 to 70 per cent, thereby reducing the yield of these crops. During the course of investigations on the bioecology of H. viginticotopunctata from 1994-1996, an insect-parasitoid Pediobius foveotoatus was recorded as a natural enemy of the beetle from Tamil Nadu, India. Some of the basic studies conducted on the parasitoid include host preference, degree of parasitization, pattern of emergence hole and ovipositional behaviour. Investigations on these aspects revealed that the third and fourth instar grub stages of the host to be most preferred for parasitization than the other stage. Though parasitization was noticed throughout the period of study, it varied between the months of the year. Asthe hymenopterous parasitoid has a remarkable potential to exercise control over H. vigintioctopunctata, efforts may be made to mass produce them for incorporation in an IPM.