Population dynamics of natural enemies Ladybird beetle Coccinella septumpunctata L. (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera) and syrphid fly Episyrphus balteatus Degeer (Syrphidae: Diptera) on six okra cultivars in Peshawar

Abstract

Whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Hemiptera; Aleyrodidae), aphid Aphis gossypii (Glov.), (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and jassid Amrasca biguttula biguttula Ishida pose heavy threat to okra in Peshawar each year. For efficient control of insect pests of okra, study of population dynamics of pests and its natural enemies is very important. In the present research work population densities of natural enemies Ladybird beetle Coccinella septumpunctata L. (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera) and syrphid fly Episyrphus balteatus DeGeer (Syrphidae: Diptera) were determined on six okra cultivars in Peshawar in 2014. The experiment was conducted in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The results revealed that overall mean density of the C. septumpunctata was significantly higher on Malay (1.60 individual’s leaf 1 ) and lower on Local Peshawri (1.03 individual’s leaf -1 ). Overall mean density of E. balteatus was significantly higher on F1 Syngenta (1.60 individual’s leaf -1 ) and lower on Neelum Green (0.70 individual’s leaf -1 ). Cultivar Bharati Kaveri yielded significantly higher (9027.778 kg ha -1 ) while Malay lower (6712.963 kg ha -1 ). The findings of the present research will lay down a base for developing