LIFE TABLE ATTRIBUTES AND FEEDING EFFICIENCY OF OENOPIA SAUZETI (MULSANT) (COLEOPTERA: COCCINELLIDAE) FED ON APHID (APHIS GOSSYPII)

Abstract

Ladybird beetles are play vital role in agroecosystem due to successful and efficient feeding behavior against aphids, the present research experiment was carried to find out the life history and feeding efficacy of oenopiasauzetifed on Aphis gossypii,at the laboratory of Biological Control, integrated pest management programme (IPMP), National Agriculture Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad. The results of the experiment revealed that the mean developmental time of immature stage 3rd and 4th instar have a significant difference with 3.72±0.11 and 3.87±0.036 days, while the egg to adult emergence was 39±0.35 days. The longevity has significant difference in male and female with the higher values at female 34.0 days. Similarly, the feeding efficiency was maximum in O. sauzeti females which feeds on 2227.1 mean number of Aphis gossypii, while the (409.25±1.42) mean numbers of aphids were consumed by larva. The maximum aphid consumption was observed at 4th instar larva (198.98±0.51 aphid) followed by 3rd instar larva (128.57±0.59 aphid). The mean oviposition time of O. sauzetion A. gossypii was recorded as 21.36 days and average eggs laid female-1 day-1 was 20.53, while the total laid eggs given by a female were 253.60. The apparent mortality (100qx) was maximum at egg stage (24) and the mortality survival ratio (MSR) was highest at pupal stage (0.53), similarly, the indispensable mortality (IM) was also observed high at pupal stage. The maximum survival fraction (Sx) was observed at the 4th larval stage (0.91) and the maximum life expectancy (ex) was observed at 1st larval instar (4.51) days. The total killer power (k-value) of the O. sauzetifor the complete generation was 0.49. This will help to develop an ecofriendly managing approach for the minimizing the aphids infestationin economical important crops.