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Seasonal Abundance and Predatory Potential of Stethorus aptus Kapur (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae): A Biocontrol Agent of Tea Red Spider Mite Oligonychus coffeae Nietner (Acarina: Tetranychidae)

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Abstract

The tea red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae Nietner is one of the major pests of tea plants in North-east India. The ladybird beetle, Stethorus aptus Kapur, is a newly reported predator of O. coffeae. Predatory efficiency study of S. aptus under laboratory conditions revealed that adult of S. aptus consumed significantly more mites than larvae. In free choice condition, the predator consumed within a range of 48–56 adults and 82–90 larvae of O. coffeae whereas the 3rd and 4th instar larvae of S. aptus consumed 20–26 adults and 50–60 larvae of O. coffeae per day respectively. Population dynamics of S. aptus was observed for 1 year under field conditions. The maximum density of the predator was recorded during January to March and it gradually declined from September onwards. Population of S. aptus showed positive correlation with its prey O. coffeae and relative humidity while effect of other factors was insignificant.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to Dr. N. Muraleedharan, Director, Tocklai Tea Research Institute, for providing the facilities and Professor Dr. K Ramaraju of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore for taxonomic identification of the species. This paper is a part of PhD thesis of the first author.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, Tocklai Tea Research Institute, Tea Research Association, Jorhat, Assam, 785008, India

    Archita Barua

  2. North Bengal Regional R&D Centre, Tea Research Association, Nagrakata, West Bengal, India

    Azariah Babu

  3. Department of Zoology, Cotton College, Guwahati, Assam, India

    Ratul Ch Rajkhowa

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  1. Archita Barua
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  2. Azariah Babu
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  3. Ratul Ch Rajkhowa
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Correspondence to Archita Barua.

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Barua, A., Babu, A. & Rajkhowa, R.C. Seasonal Abundance and Predatory Potential of Stethorus aptus Kapur (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae): A Biocontrol Agent of Tea Red Spider Mite Oligonychus coffeae Nietner (Acarina: Tetranychidae). Proc Zool Soc 71, 224–228 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12595-016-0197-4

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