Abstract :
This study was carried out to evaluate the management of Duranta aphid Aphis durantae Theobald (Homoptera: Aphididae) which infesting duranta plantsby releasing different levels of the seven- spotted lady beetle, Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).
This study was carried out at two locations (Governorates), The International Garden, Cairo Governorate and El-Orman Garden, Giza Governorate during successive season 2018 under glasshouse conditions.
The seven- spotted lady beetle, C. septempunctata was released for one time at early February on durantaplants at the two locations at rates of 30, 60 and 90 eggs/plant. In the first level of release (30 eggs/plant), at Cairo Governorate the reduction percentages in the population ofDuranta aphid, A. durantae increased gradually whereas it were 24.0, 34.4, 44.6, 57.1 and 66.6% on mid-February, first-March, mid-March, first-April and mid-April, respectively. The same trend was achieved at Giza Governorate. Also, in the second level of release (60 eggs/plant), at Cairo Governorate the reduction percentages in the population of A. durantae increased gradually whereas it were 27.1, 40.2, 50.3, 60.0 and 69.7% on mid-February, first-March, mid-March, first-April and mid-April, respectively. The same trend was achieved at Giza Governorate. Lastly, the third level of release (90 eggs/plant), at Cairo Governorate the reduction percentages in the population of A. durantae increased gradually whereas it were 31.3, 46.0, 58.7, 68.3 and 74.1% on mid-February, first-March, mid-March, first-April and mid-April, respectively. In addition, the same trend was achieved at Giza Governorate.
Keyword :
biological control; Duranta aphid; Coccinella septempunctata L; Glasshouse conditions