BIOECOLOGY OF PAINTED BUG, EURYDEMA PULCHRUM (WESTWOOD) (HEMIPTERA: PENTATOMIDAE) ON CAULIFLOWER
P. DEV JAN *
DEPARTMENT OF LIFE SCIENCES, MANIPUR UNIVERSITY, MANIPUR UNIWERSITY, CANCHIPUR-795 003, INDIA
T.K. SINGH *
DEPARTMENT OF LIFE SCIENCES, MANIPUR UNIVERSITY, MANIPUR UNIWERSITY, CANCHIPUR-795 003, INDIA
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Seasonal incidence of Eurydema pulchrum (Westwood) was assessed for two consecutive crops seasons (1997-98 & 1998-99) from July to March on three crops of cauliflower viz. early, mid and late crops. The pest occurred from July to October on early crop, from November to December on mid crop and from January to February on late crop. A comparatively higher incidence of 0.12-0.21 insects per plant during August/eptember was recorded on early crop with longer incidence period. Amorg the abiotic factors only rainfall and sunshine showed significant influence (+ ive and - ive, respectively) on the pest incidence. Studies on biology of E. pulchrum revealed that the insect passed through five nymphal instars before becoming adult. The periods of incubation, total nymphal development, adult longevity and total life span were 6, 27, 71 and 104 days respectively. The mean fecundity per female was 104 eggs.