Interrelationship between zigzag beetle (Menochilus sexmaculatus) and sucking insect pests on chili crop

Abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate the Interrelationship between zigzag beetle (Menochilus sexmaculatus) and sucking insect pests on chili crop. The results indicated that over all mean population of whitefly was highest (9.89) followed by thrips (6.71), aphid (6.10), jassid (4.65) and mealy (2.08) per leaf. The all pest population steadly increased to the seasonal peak. More predators migrated toward the crop as pest population increased. It was observed that zigzag beetle is the potential predator of sucking insect pests in chilli crop. Its maximum population was recorded in the last week of August when there was highest insect pest population.