Biology and abundance of the striped flea beetle, Phyllotreta striolata (F.) (Coleoptera:Chrysonelidae) on pak-choi (Brassica campestris var. chinensis L.) and management options against the insect pest
2004
Patricio, M.A.G.
The striped flea beetle, Phyllotreta (F.) was reared on detached pak-choi leaves in the laboratory and on potted pots in the net house. Total developmental period was 18.35 plus or minus 0.25 on detached leaves and 25.86 plus or minus 4.44 days on potted plants. Adult longevity lasted for 39.68 plus or minus 14.02 days in male and 36.56 plus or minus 11.53 days in female. The mean female fecundity was 619.08 plus or minus 148.60 eggs/female. The sex ratio (male:female) was 0.90:1. Of the seven Brassicaceae, pak-choi, Brassica campestris var chinensis (L.) and Indian mustard, Brassica juncea (L.) were the most preferred host plants, followed by Chinese cabbage, B. pekinensis (Lour.). The least preferred was Chinese kale B. oleraceae (L.). On pak-choi cultivars, Black Behi had the highest damage rating and Ching-Chang and Psai-Tsai had the lowest damage rating. Two Cleome weed species, C. viscosa and C. rutidosperma of the closely related family were also fed upon by P. striolata. Adult P. striolata, present year round were most abundant in March. Temperature and rainfall affected their abundance in the field. Among the management options evaluated, the most promising were: solarization by covering the soil with black or clear polyethylene mulch, as this significantly decreased the number of larvae and pupae in the soilnetting (32 mesh), which deterred insects from attacking the plantsmulching with rice straw and rice hull, which reduced feeding damage by adult P. striolata. Also, application of insecticide Ascend (Fipronil) which protected pak-choi plants from any pest damage.
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