Biological Control of Duranta Aphid, Aphis durantae Theobald by Release Coccinella septempunctata L. on Duranta Plants under Glasshouse Conditions

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the management of Duranta aphid Aphis durantae Theobald (Homoptera: Aphididae) which infesting duranta plantsby releasing different levels of the seven- spotted lady beetle, Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).     This study was carried out at two locations (Governorates), The International Garden, Cairo Governorate and El-Orman Garden, Giza Governorate during successive season 2018 under glasshouse conditions.   The seven- spotted lady beetle, C. septempunctata was released for one time at early February on durantaplants at the two locations at rates of 30, 60 and 90 eggs/plant. In the first level of release (30 eggs/plant),  at  Cairo Governorate the reduction percentages in the population ofDuranta aphid, A. durantae increased gradually whereas it were 24.0, 34.4, 44.6, 57.1 and 66.6% on mid-February, first-March, mid-March, first-April and mid-April, respectively. The same trend was achieved at Giza Governorate. Also, in the second level of release (60 eggs/plant), at Cairo Governorate the reduction percentages in the population of A. durantae increased gradually whereas it were 27.1, 40.2, 50.3, 60.0 and 69.7%  on mid-February, first-March, mid-March, first-April and mid-April, respectively. The same trend was achieved at Giza Governorate. Lastly, the third level of release (90 eggs/plant), at Cairo Governorate the reduction percentages in the population of A. durantae increased gradually whereas it were 31.3, 46.0, 58.7, 68.3 and 74.1%  on mid-February, first-March, mid-March, first-April and mid-April, respectively. In addition, the same trend was achieved at Giza Governorate.