Abstract :
Armyworm, Spodoptera litura is a destructive and polyphagous pest of several crops i.e. agricultural and horticultural throughout the world. The present research was performed to check the biology and efficacy of Beauveria bassiana on larvae and pupae of pests. Eggs were laid on the lower surface of cabbage leaves and on the wall of the containers in cluster form. The colour of newly laid eggs was pale white, later changed to grey or dark near to hatching. The average developmental parameters of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th larval instar were 2.43±0.43, 2.65±0.80, 3.21±0.54, 2.43±0.56 and 2.33±0.86, respectively. The colour of pre-pupa and pupa was lighter reddish and pale yellowish, respectively. The average mean pre-pupal and pupal periods were 0.63±0.21 and 7.00±0.76, respectively. The larval length was 2.6, 2.5 and 2.8 cm in 2.4x104, 2.4x105 and 2.4x106 spore/ml, respectively. The highest and lowest pupation percentage was 87.2% and 40.6%, respectively in 2.4x104 spore/ml and control. The pupal weight was 181.2 and 202.3 mg in 2.4x105 and 2.4x106 spore/ml, respectively. The pupal duration was 8.3, 8.1, and 8.4 days in 2.4×104, 2.4×105, and 2.4×106 spore/ml, respectively. The current study will be proved the best strategy in integrated pest management strategy (IPM) in the country.
Keyword :
Armyworm, Cabbage, Destructive pest, Larva, Pupa, Pakistan