Development of bio-rational pest management module against hog plum beetle, Podontia 14-punctata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The hog-plum, locally known as amra, is a deciduous perennial tree with thick succulent leaves and it grows all over the country, but the quality fruits are produced only in the southern districts of Bangladesh especially in Barishal and Jhalokathi districts. Its cultivation is seriously hampered by hog- hog plum beetle or 14 spotted leaf beetle, Podontia 14-punctata L. (Chrysomelidae: Coleoptera). In most of the cases, insecticidal spray is not effective for controlling this pest as pupation occurs in the soil. Therefore current study was carried out in both laboratory and field condition to develop environment friendly management approaches against hog plum beetle as well as producing of toxic chemical pesticide free hog-plum. From laboratory test, it is revealed that spraying of spinosad (Success 2.5 SC) at hog plum leaflet and drenching with microbial pesticides, soil recharge namely Lycomax (Metarhizium anisopliae + Trichoderma harzianum + Beauveria bassiana + Trichoderma viride) causes 72.22% adults and 51.85% pupal mortality of P. 14-punctata respectively. Then some pest management modules were developed based on the laboratory result and it’s were verified in field during two fruiting season 2018-19 and 2019-20. From field study it is observed that module 1: Hand picking + trunk banding with packaging tape + soil drenching with lycomax + spraying of spinosad treated trees offered lowest leaf and fruit infestation; even though trunk banding with packaging tape did not show any effect to control this pest. Fruit yield was also increased 39.04-39.66% in module 1 imposing hog plum trees compare to control. Therefore, it is clear that without banding of the hog plum trunk, hand picking + soil drenching with microbial pesticides, lycomax + spraying of spinosad might be sustainable and environment friendly pest management module against P. 14-punctata.