1 Scientist, Central Potato Research Institute, Modipuram, Meerat 250 110, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Plant Protection Section, Central Potato Research Institute, Modipuram, Meerut - 250 110, Uttar Pradesh, India.
*Corresponding Address: Department of Entomology and Apiculture, College of Horticulture, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan - 173 230, H.P., India. E-mail: vinay_eap06@yahoo.co.in
Feeding potential of Lady bird beetle, Coccinella septempunctata (Linn.) was studied under laboratory conditions on mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) and potato-peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer). Both grubs and adult showed greater preference for L. erysimi than M. persicae. The feeding potential of C. septempunctata increased with the increase in age of the grubs. Fourth instar grub consumed 69.40 and 61.50 aphids of L. erysimi and M. persicae respectively. The mean consumption of aphids, L. erysimi and M. persicae by unstarved stages was 43.28 and 36.56 respectively, while it was 58.85 and 51.10 under starved conditions.
