Eco-Biology and Management of Red Pumpkin Beetle (Aulacophora foveicollis Lucas) on Indian Snap Melon (Cucumis melo momordica Roxb.)

The experiments were conducted to study the eco-biology and management of red pumpkin beetle (Aulacophora foveicollis Lucas) on Indian snap melon during 2011 and 2012 in different areas of Punjab. Ten landraces of Indian snap melons were screened out on the basis of population and damage infestation of red pumpkin beetle, Aulacophora foveicollis during cropping season 2011. Maximum population (8.06) and infestation (15.46%) was recorded in landrace SHW. However minimum population (5.56) and infestation (10.63%) was recorded in landrace BHW. In another experiment synthetic insecticides (carbaryl, imidacloprid, bifenthrin) were also evaluated. Carbaryl dust was most effective minimum population (3.63) and infestation (7.56%) was recorded in this treatment, however, maximum population (3.91) and infestation (8.85) was recorded in in plot treated with Imidacloprid. In Botanical screening, minimum population and infestation was recorded in plot treated with Neem seed kernel extract 4.31, 9.1, respectively. In mechanical control screening minimum population (5.82) and infestation (13.06) recorded in plots treated using Yellow Sticky Traps. Host plant susceptibility indices was also calculated maximum susceptibility was recorded in landrace SHW (12%) and minimum in BHW (8%). Data of different physical and biochemical characters of various landraces of Indian snap melon were observed. Effect of these physical and biochemical plant characters was evaluated in relation to population and infestation caused by red pumpkin beetle. Physical plant characters like Leaf Area and Leaf Sheath Thickness were calculated varying significantly among different landraces while Moisture contents (%) and Hair Density were non-significant when compared. Bio-chemical plant characters including Nitrogen (%), Phosphorous (%), Potassium (%), Carbohydrate (%), Iron (%), Cu (%), Zinc (%) were recorded significant while factors like Fat (%), Mg (%) and Total Minerals (%) were non-significant among different landraces. Impact of Leaf Area (cm2), Leaf Sheath Thickness (µm), Moisture Contents (%), Nitrogen (%), Carbohydrate (%), Cu (%), Zinc (%) was recorded positive to population and infestation of red pumpkin beetle. However, the impact of Phosphorous (%) and Potassium (%) contents had a negative impact on the population infestation of red pumpkin beetle. Effect of weather factors (temperature and rainfall) on the population dynamics of red pumpkin beetle was also worked out. Effect of temperature on the population was calculated positive while the impact of temperature on the infestation cannot be calculated because it depends on crop stage and leaf density. Whereas, the effect of rainfall on the population of red pumpkin beetle was calculated negative. Maximum population (13.16) of red pumpkin beetle was observed during 1st week of May afterward it goes on declining and maximum infestation (20.36%) was recorded on 1st date of observation as minimum density of leaves was present at that time. Mean population and infestation caused by red pumpkin beetle against different treatments was recorded. Minimum population and infestation was recorded in treatment no.7 (carbaryl + neem + yellow sticky traps) in all districts. Maximum population reduction and infestation reduction percentage was recorded in the same treatment in all districts. Overall trend of different treatment were as Control > Yellow Sticky Traps > Neem > Neem + Yellow Sticky Traps > Carbaryl > Carbaryl + Yellow Sticky Traps > Carbaryl + Neem > Carbaryl + Neem + Yellow Sticky Traps.