Abstract:
A field experiment was carried out to find out the host preference of red
pumpkin beetle at the research field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural
University, Dhaka, during March 2012 to June 2012. To find out the host
preference of red pumpkin beetle (Aulacophora foveicollis) on different
cucurbits. Eight cucurbitaceous plants(varieties) viz. Sweet gourd (Cucurbita
moschata), Wax gourd (Benincasa hispida), Bottle gourd (Lagenaria
siceraria Molina.) Cucumber (Cucumis sativus), Snake gourd (Trichosanthes
dioica), Ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula), Sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica) and
Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) were taken to conduct the experiment in
Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Data
were recorded from 4 day after sowing(DAS) to 64 DAS on number of plants
pit-1, damage of infested cotyledon(%), number of infested plants pit-1, number
of infested leaves plant-1, total number of infested leaves plot-1, damage of
infested flowers(%) and damage of infested fruits(%). Sweet gourd cotyledon
showed the maximum damage (45.00%) than that of other cucurbits at 9
DAS, all plants of sweet gourd pit-1 were infested by red pumpkin beetle. The
highest leaf infestation (34.00) was observed at 64 DAS. The highest flower
damage(%) plot-1 (27.33%) was also observed in sweet gourd at 54 (DAS),
whereas the highest damage percentage of infested fruits plot-1(36.67%) was
also observed in sweet gourd at 64 DAS. Sweet gourd was found in highly
preferred condition by RPB and bitter gourd was found in least preferred
condition by red pumpkin beetle in this study.
Description:
A Thesis
Submitted to the Faculty of Agriculture,
Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka,
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree
of
MASTER OF SCIENCE
IN
ENTOMOLOGY
SEMESTER: JANUARY - JUNE, 2013
