EVALUATION OF THE CONSUMPTION RATES OF DOMINANT COCCINELLID PREDATORS ON APHIDS IN NORTH- EAST BIHAR

Abstract

The present paper records information on the consumption rate of coccinellid predators on aphids viz Aphis craccivora, Aphis gossypii, Myzus persicae, and Lipaphis erysimi. Male and Female Coccinella septempunctata, Coccinella transversalis, Cheilomenes sexmaculata, Micraspis discolor and Pulus pyrochilus have high consumption rate on Aphis craccivora (65.6±3.01, 52±4.2), on Lipaphis erysimi (57±4.4, 41.25±1.7), on Aphis gossypii (57±2.26, 39.5±0.55), on Myzus persicae (43.4±0.51, 30.66±0.62) and on Lipaphis erysimi (34.75±1.4, 25.2±0.65). It was observed that high consumption rate on nymphs of aphids in comparison to their adults was due to the fulfillment of dietary requirements of these predators from these prey species.