Vol. 10, Special Issue 9 (2021)

Author(s):
T Vasista, MSV Chalam, KV Hariprasad and G Mohan Naidu

Abstract:
Feeding potential of two aphidophagous predators viz., C. sexmaculata Fabricus and C. transversalis Fabricus was studied on aphid hosts viz., Aphis craccivora Koch and Aphis gossypii Glover. First, second, third, fourth instar grub, adult male beetle and adult female beetle of C. sexmaculata consumed 11.60±1.16, 36.80±1.77, 57.80±4.95, 121.00±8.63, 764±23.89 and 940.00±21.62 adults of A. craccivora respectively. First, second, third, fourth instar grub, adult male beetle and adult female beetle of C. sexmaculata consumed 8.20±0.58, 24.60±1.50, 38.60±0.74, 115.20±3.04, 593.20±11.46 and 730.00±14.32 adults of A. gossypii respectively whereas, first, second, third, fourth instar grub, adult male beetle and adult female beetle of C. transversalis consumed 16.20±1.88, 32.80±2.55, 66.00±1.37, 81.20±4.07, 579.80±20.45 and 746.20±16.02 adults of A. craccivora respectively. First, second, third, fourth, adult male beetle and adult female beetle of C. transversalis consumed 11.00±0.70, 25.60±2.20, 59.00±2.28, 101.00±4.34, 502.60±8.32 and 647.00±20.54 adults of A. gossypii respectively. C. sexmaculata consumed 1167.20±28.83 and 949.80±44.90 adults of A. craccivora and A. gossypii respectively in its entire life cycle (grubs & adults) whereas, C. transversalis consumed 950.60±20.93 and 843.60±17.54 adults of A. craccivora and A. gossypii respectively in its entire life cycle (grubs & adults). The entire grub stage lasted for 9.8±0.37 and 11.00±0.31 days when C. sexmaculata was fed on A. craccivora and A. gossypii respectively whereas, the entire grub stage of C. transversalis lasted for 10.4±0.24 and 11.4±0.24 days when fed on A. craccivora and A. gossypii respectively.