Journal of Entomological Research

SCOPUSWeb of Science
  • Year: 2017
  • Volume: 41
  • Issue: 1

Seasonal abundance and predatory potential of Serangium parcesetosum Sicard (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) against whitefly, Bemisia tabaci on cotton

Department of Entomology, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004, Haryana, India

Abstract

Studies on seasonal abundance of S. parcesetosum and its predatory potential on whitefly in cotton were carried out in field and laboratory conditions. The peak activity of B. tabaci nymphs and S. parcesetosum larvae and adults were observed in cotton fields in mid growing season. Development duration of S. parcesetosum averaged 21.9 days and it was longest for pupa and shortest in first instar. The mean prey consumption increased with growth of the predator, being maximum in the fourth instar. On an average, a single S. parcesetosum larva consumed a mean of 560.2 nymphs of B. tabaci during its entire larval period of 12.8 days. The predator was active for most part of the cotton season. Which indicated it to be a potential biological control agent for B. tabaci.

Keywords

Serangium parcesetosum, Bemisia tabaci, predatory potential, biological control