26 Ara 2024 Perşembe
Predatory potential of coccinellid beetle, Menochilus sexmaculatus Fabricius (Coleoptera), at different temperatures, against Rugose Spiralling Whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera)
Abstract :The experiment was set up to assess the predatory potential of Menochilus sexmaculatus against Aleurodicus rugioperculatus at different temperatures 17±1°C (T1), 27±1°C (T2), and 34±1°C (T3). The mean predatory potential of all the larval instar was obtained high at T2. Prey consumption of adult females was significantly high (1394.12 at T1; 1472.8 at T2, and 1427.6 at T3; p = <0.00001), than males (1173.36, 1281.92, and 1227.92 at T1, T2 and T3 respectively; p = <0.00001). The study reveals that M. sexmaculatus has a statistically significant difference in the predatory potential on exposure to different temperature ranges, and it has an ability to adjust its body physiology according to the temperature ranges. The study also reveals that M. sexmaculatus can be an efficient biological controlling agent for the management of A. rugioperculatus.
Prey predator interaction, bio control agent, temperature, predatory potential