Biological Control of Cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch infesting Squash Plants by Releasing Predator, Coccinella septempunctata under Glasshouse Conditions

G., Elsherbeni, M. K.; S., Emam, A.

doi:10.21608/eajbsf.2021.165005

Biological Control of Cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch infesting Squash Plants by Releasing Predator, Coccinella septempunctata under Glasshouse Conditions

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Plant Protection Research Institute, A.R.C., Dokki, Giza, Egypt

10.21608/eajbsf.2021.165005

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the management of Cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch (Homoptera: Aphididae) which infesting squash plants, Cucurbita pepo L. by releasing three levels of the seven spotted lady beetle, Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) (40, 80, 120 eggs/plant). This study was carried out at two locations (Governorates), Perkash (Giza Governorate) and Tokh (Qaliobya Governorate) during successive season 2020 under glasshouse conditions.
At Giza Governorate, in the first level of release (40 eggs/plant), the reduction percentages in the population of A. craccivora increased gradually whereas they were 21.9, 31.9, 40.6, 46.5 and 55.4% on mid-February, first-March, mid-March, first-April and mid-April respectively. Also, in the second level of release (80 eggs/plant), the reduction percentages in the population increased gradually whereas they were 25.5, 35.5, 43.2, 50.9 and 58.0% on the same dates respectively. Lastly, in the third level of release (120 eggs/plant), the reduction percentages in the population increased gradually whereas they were 28.3, 38.8, 46.1, 52.1 and 63.7% on the same dates, respectively. The same trend was achieved at Qaliobya Governorate.

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