Studies on host specificity and preference of the Metallic Coloured Tortoise Beetle (Aspidomorpha miliaris F.), a Medicinal insect
Studies on host specificity and preference of the
Metallic Coloured Tortoise Beetle (Aspidomorpha
miliaris F.), a Medicinal insect
http://www.pankajoudhia.com/RA1.pdf
Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia © 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved
INTRODUCTION lpomoea carnea Jacq., locally known as Beshram, is one of the common obnoxious weeds in Chhattisgarh region (Oudhia and Tripathi, 1998a). Inhibitory allelopathic effects of this weed on germination and seedling vigour of many agricultural crops have been reported (Oudhia and Tripathi, 1998b). During 1997- 98 and 99, heavy infestation of Tortoise beetle, also known as Fool's Gold beetle, was noted on lpomoea carnea and related species. The damage was caused by the adults and grubs feeding on the leaf tissues. Aspidomorpha miliaris F. (Chrysomelidae; Coleoptera) is a serious pest of sweet potato (lpomoea batata) but sweet potato is not under cultivation in Chhattisgarh region. The fact indicates that there is possibilities of utilizing this beetle as bio-agent for lpomoea and related species. Due to non-availability of any information regarding different hosts of this possible bio-agent of lpomoea in Chhattisgarh, the studies on host specificity and preference were conducted using more than 40 test plants including agricultural crops, weeds and ornamental plants. Table - 1 Studies on host specificity and preference of the metallic coloured Tortoise beetle (Aspidomorpha miliaris E) Test Plant Species Local Name Response of Beetles Remark (+) (-) Cynodon dactylon Doobi - Weed Croton sparsiflorus Vanmirch - Weed Calotropis gigantea Fudhar - Weed Datura stramonium Dhatra - Weed Sida acuta Bariyara - Weed Ipomoea reniformis Muscani ++ - Weed Commelina benghalensis Kauakaini Weed Lantana camara Gotiphool - Weed Parthenium hysterophours Gajargha - Weed Citrus medica Nimbu - Fruit crop Psidium guajava Jam - Fruit crop Mangifera indica Aam - Fruit crop Calliandra haematocephala Lal phool - Ornamental Melia azedarach Bakain + - Ornamental Acalypha hispida Shankarjata - Ornamental Jasminum sambac Mongra - Ornamental Hibiscus rosasinensis Dashmath - Ornamental Saraca indica Ashok - Ornamental Ipomoea aquatica2 Karmatta ++ - Weed Tridax procumbens Bhengra - Weed Euphoribia hirta Duddhi - Weed Phyllanthus niruri Bhuinawla - Weed Catharanthus roseus Sadasuhagan - Ornamental Bougainvilea glabra Kagaj phool - Ornamental Luffa acutangula Torai - Vegetable crop Colacasia sp. Jimikand - Vegetable crop Poinciana regia Gulmohar - Ornamental Codiaeum variegatum Croton - Ornamental Callistemon sp. Bottle-brush - Ornamental Punicaa granatum Anar - Fruit crop Ficus carica Anjeer - Fruit crop Thevetia nerifolia Kaner - Ornamental Rose indica Gulab - Ornamental Cyperus rotundus Motha - Weed Cassia tora Charota - Weed Typha angustata Hatthighas Weed Achyranthes aspera Chirchita - Weed Eclipta alba Bhengra van - Weed Polyanthus tuberosa Rajanigandha + - Ornamental Jatropha curcas Ratanjot - Medicinal Convolvulus arvensis3 Hirankhuri ++ - Weed Vitis vinifera Angoor - Fruit crop Lagerstroemia sp. Doodh mongra - Ornamental Cassia alata Nakli Sanay - Ornamental Impatiens balsamina Chirya phool - Ornamental Ipomoea palmata4 Panchpatri ++ - Weed Ipomoea carnea1 Beshram +++ - Weed ---> Heavy feeding ++ ----> Medium feeding + ----> Partial feeding ------> No feeding 12345 - Order of preference MATERIALS AND METHODS specificity tests were carried on 47 plant species as described by Oudhia, 1997 and Ramesh, 1996. CHOICE TEST A twig of 15-20 cm length of each test plant species was fixed in a 25 ml conical flask containing water with the help of cotton swab. Then the twig was covered with the big plastic jars. In wide-opened mouth of each plastic jar, mosquito net was fitted for aeration. Ten field collected grubs and adults starred for 24 hours were released into the plastic jars. Beetles were allowed to feed on the test plants for 3 days. Every plant species tested had three replicates and whole experiment was repeated twice. CHOICE TEST Plant species including lpomoea cornea, lpomoea aquatica, lpomoea palmata, Convolvulus arvensis and lpomoea reniformis were assessed in the following test. The aim of this test was to know the host preference. Sixty field collected grubs and adults were starved for 24 hours and released into big plastic jars having fresh leaves of these plant species. The experiment was repeated for 10 times. Number of beetles settled on each plant species was recorded in 15 minutes interval upto 48 hours. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS Out of 47 plant species, feeding was observed on 7 plant species. These plant species include lpomoea carnea, lpomoea reniformis, lpomoea palmata, lpomoea aquatica, Convolvulus arvensis (All species belong to Convolvulaceae family), Melia azedarach and Polyanthus tuberosa. Heavy feeding was noted in case of lpomoea cornea whereas medium feeding was noted under other related species. In natural field conditions, similar behaviour of beetle was noted. Partial feeding was noted under laboratory conditions in Polyanthus and Melia leaves but in natural field conditions, the feeding was not observed. Also when some beetles were released on these species in field conditions, they migrated to lpomoea species. All the plant species on which heavy and medium feeding was noted are weeds except lpomoea aquatica. In Chhattisgarh region, some farmers cultivate lpomoea aquatica as vegetable crop. In such situations. Tortoise beetles are considered aspect which damages the economically important parts of 1. aquatica (i.e., leaves). But in general lpomoea aquatica is known as problematic weed. The study on host preference revealed that beetles preferred lpomoea cornea among all the other plant species. The order of its preference is given in Table 1. Negative response of Tortoise beetles towards agricultural crops like soybean, rice maize, mung, groundnut, Sesamum, castor, sorghum, cotton etc. have been reported. (Ramesh, 1996). The study suggested that there is a tremendous possibilities of utilizing this beetle for eco-friendly management of not only lpomoea cornea but also other common problematic weeds like 1. aquatica, 1. reniformis, 1. palmata and convolvulus s. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Author is thankful to Dr. R. S. Tripathi, Professor and Head, Department of Agronomy, IGAU, Raipur, Dr. Jayalaxmi Ganguli, Scientist and Mr. Muktavan Das, Field Assistant for their kind co-operation during this REFERENCES , P. ( 1997). Evaluation of host specificity of Blumea leaf beetle (Chrysolina sp. nr. madrasae Jackoby). Insect Environment. 3 (3): 80. Oudhia, P. and Tripathi, R. S. ( 1998a). Medicinal weeds of kharif crops in the plains of Chhattisgarh. Bhartiya Krishi Anusandhan Patrika. 13(1/2): 33-38. Oudhia, P. and Tripathi, R. S. ( 1998b). Allelopathic potential of lpomoea carnea Jacq. Agril. Biol. Res. 14 (3 -8. Ramesh, P. ( 1996). Host specificity of the Tortoise beetle Aspidomorpha miliaris and its possible role in the management of lpomoea cornea and lpomoea aquatica. Indian. J. Ent: 58 (2): 140-142. (Originally published in Ecol. Env. & Cons. 6(3) : 2000; pp. (357-359)
http://www.pankajoudhia.com/RA1.pdf
Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia © 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved
INTRODUCTION lpomoea carnea Jacq., locally known as Beshram, is one of the common obnoxious weeds in Chhattisgarh region (Oudhia and Tripathi, 1998a). Inhibitory allelopathic effects of this weed on germination and seedling vigour of many agricultural crops have been reported (Oudhia and Tripathi, 1998b). During 1997- 98 and 99, heavy infestation of Tortoise beetle, also known as Fool's Gold beetle, was noted on lpomoea carnea and related species. The damage was caused by the adults and grubs feeding on the leaf tissues. Aspidomorpha miliaris F. (Chrysomelidae; Coleoptera) is a serious pest of sweet potato (lpomoea batata) but sweet potato is not under cultivation in Chhattisgarh region. The fact indicates that there is possibilities of utilizing this beetle as bio-agent for lpomoea and related species. Due to non-availability of any information regarding different hosts of this possible bio-agent of lpomoea in Chhattisgarh, the studies on host specificity and preference were conducted using more than 40 test plants including agricultural crops, weeds and ornamental plants. Table - 1 Studies on host specificity and preference of the metallic coloured Tortoise beetle (Aspidomorpha miliaris E) Test Plant Species Local Name Response of Beetles Remark (+) (-) Cynodon dactylon Doobi - Weed Croton sparsiflorus Vanmirch - Weed Calotropis gigantea Fudhar - Weed Datura stramonium Dhatra - Weed Sida acuta Bariyara - Weed Ipomoea reniformis Muscani ++ - Weed Commelina benghalensis Kauakaini Weed Lantana camara Gotiphool - Weed Parthenium hysterophours Gajargha - Weed Citrus medica Nimbu - Fruit crop Psidium guajava Jam - Fruit crop Mangifera indica Aam - Fruit crop Calliandra haematocephala Lal phool - Ornamental Melia azedarach Bakain + - Ornamental Acalypha hispida Shankarjata - Ornamental Jasminum sambac Mongra - Ornamental Hibiscus rosasinensis Dashmath - Ornamental Saraca indica Ashok - Ornamental Ipomoea aquatica2 Karmatta ++ - Weed Tridax procumbens Bhengra - Weed Euphoribia hirta Duddhi - Weed Phyllanthus niruri Bhuinawla - Weed Catharanthus roseus Sadasuhagan - Ornamental Bougainvilea glabra Kagaj phool - Ornamental Luffa acutangula Torai - Vegetable crop Colacasia sp. Jimikand - Vegetable crop Poinciana regia Gulmohar - Ornamental Codiaeum variegatum Croton - Ornamental Callistemon sp. Bottle-brush - Ornamental Punicaa granatum Anar - Fruit crop Ficus carica Anjeer - Fruit crop Thevetia nerifolia Kaner - Ornamental Rose indica Gulab - Ornamental Cyperus rotundus Motha - Weed Cassia tora Charota - Weed Typha angustata Hatthighas Weed Achyranthes aspera Chirchita - Weed Eclipta alba Bhengra van - Weed Polyanthus tuberosa Rajanigandha + - Ornamental Jatropha curcas Ratanjot - Medicinal Convolvulus arvensis3 Hirankhuri ++ - Weed Vitis vinifera Angoor - Fruit crop Lagerstroemia sp. Doodh mongra - Ornamental Cassia alata Nakli Sanay - Ornamental Impatiens balsamina Chirya phool - Ornamental Ipomoea palmata4 Panchpatri ++ - Weed Ipomoea carnea1 Beshram +++ - Weed ---> Heavy feeding ++ ----> Medium feeding + ----> Partial feeding ------> No feeding 12345 - Order of preference MATERIALS AND METHODS specificity tests were carried on 47 plant species as described by Oudhia, 1997 and Ramesh, 1996. CHOICE TEST A twig of 15-20 cm length of each test plant species was fixed in a 25 ml conical flask containing water with the help of cotton swab. Then the twig was covered with the big plastic jars. In wide-opened mouth of each plastic jar, mosquito net was fitted for aeration. Ten field collected grubs and adults starred for 24 hours were released into the plastic jars. Beetles were allowed to feed on the test plants for 3 days. Every plant species tested had three replicates and whole experiment was repeated twice. CHOICE TEST Plant species including lpomoea cornea, lpomoea aquatica, lpomoea palmata, Convolvulus arvensis and lpomoea reniformis were assessed in the following test. The aim of this test was to know the host preference. Sixty field collected grubs and adults were starved for 24 hours and released into big plastic jars having fresh leaves of these plant species. The experiment was repeated for 10 times. Number of beetles settled on each plant species was recorded in 15 minutes interval upto 48 hours. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS Out of 47 plant species, feeding was observed on 7 plant species. These plant species include lpomoea carnea, lpomoea reniformis, lpomoea palmata, lpomoea aquatica, Convolvulus arvensis (All species belong to Convolvulaceae family), Melia azedarach and Polyanthus tuberosa. Heavy feeding was noted in case of lpomoea cornea whereas medium feeding was noted under other related species. In natural field conditions, similar behaviour of beetle was noted. Partial feeding was noted under laboratory conditions in Polyanthus and Melia leaves but in natural field conditions, the feeding was not observed. Also when some beetles were released on these species in field conditions, they migrated to lpomoea species. All the plant species on which heavy and medium feeding was noted are weeds except lpomoea aquatica. In Chhattisgarh region, some farmers cultivate lpomoea aquatica as vegetable crop. In such situations. Tortoise beetles are considered aspect which damages the economically important parts of 1. aquatica (i.e., leaves). But in general lpomoea aquatica is known as problematic weed. The study on host preference revealed that beetles preferred lpomoea cornea among all the other plant species. The order of its preference is given in Table 1. Negative response of Tortoise beetles towards agricultural crops like soybean, rice maize, mung, groundnut, Sesamum, castor, sorghum, cotton etc. have been reported. (Ramesh, 1996). The study suggested that there is a tremendous possibilities of utilizing this beetle for eco-friendly management of not only lpomoea cornea but also other common problematic weeds like 1. aquatica, 1. reniformis, 1. palmata and convolvulus s. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Author is thankful to Dr. R. S. Tripathi, Professor and Head, Department of Agronomy, IGAU, Raipur, Dr. Jayalaxmi Ganguli, Scientist and Mr. Muktavan Das, Field Assistant for their kind co-operation during this REFERENCES , P. ( 1997). Evaluation of host specificity of Blumea leaf beetle (Chrysolina sp. nr. madrasae Jackoby). Insect Environment. 3 (3): 80. Oudhia, P. and Tripathi, R. S. ( 1998a). Medicinal weeds of kharif crops in the plains of Chhattisgarh. Bhartiya Krishi Anusandhan Patrika. 13(1/2): 33-38. Oudhia, P. and Tripathi, R. S. ( 1998b). Allelopathic potential of lpomoea carnea Jacq. Agril. Biol. Res. 14 (3 -8. Ramesh, P. ( 1996). Host specificity of the Tortoise beetle Aspidomorpha miliaris and its possible role in the management of lpomoea cornea and lpomoea aquatica. Indian. J. Ent: 58 (2): 140-142. (Originally published in Ecol. Env. & Cons. 6(3) : 2000; pp. (357-359)
Comments