Evaluation of four co-occurring ladybirds for use as biocontrol agents of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Abstract

The potential of four co-occurring ladybirds, Coccinella septempunctata (L.), Coccinella transversalis (F.), Cheilomenes sexmaculata (F.), and Propylea dissecta (Mulsant), as predators of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) was investigated. Larger ladybirds were more voracious while smaller ones had higher consumption indices and were more efficient converters of food.

Keywords:

• consumption index
• conversion efficiency
• Cheilomenes sexmaculata
• Coccinella transversalis
• Coccinella septempunctata
• Propylea dissecta

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to Prof. A.F.G. Dixon, Professor Emeritus, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK for critically going through the manuscript and providing invaluable suggestions and to the Department of Higher Education, Government of Uttar Pradesh, India for providing funds in the form of Centre of Excellence in Biocontrol of Insect Pests.