Population density and percent parasitism of natural enemies of pea pests on seven pea (Pisumsativum L.) (Fabales: Fabaceae) varieties in Peshawar
Imtiaz Ali Khan, Ashraf Khan, Komal Habib, Rasheed Akbar, Muhammad Saeed, Abid Farid, Ijaz Ali, Mukhtar Alam
Pea is attacked by many insect pests in Pakistan. For efficient control of insect pests of pea crop, population density of pests and its natural enemies is important. The present research project was carried out at the New Developmental Farm (NDF) of The University of Agriculture, Peshawar (UAP) during 2013-14. Seven pea varieties, i.e. Climax (New Zealand NTL), Classic, Leader, Azad P-1, PF-400, Meteor and Peshawar Local (Check) were tested. The results revealed that mean density of Lady bird beetles was non-significantly different among the cultivars, where it was higher on Meteor (4.96 m-1) and lower on Climax (4.22 m-1). Mean density of syrphid flies was non-significantly different among the treatments, whereas it was higher on Climax (7.33 m-1) and lower on Azad P-1 (5.83 m-1). Its density was significantly higher during week 2 (8.62 m-1). Parasitism rate of pea leaf miner parasitoids was higher on Peshawar local (36.29%) and lower on Climax (28.25%). The highest percent parasitism was recorded during week 5 (62.99%). Parasitoids emergence from pea aphids was maximum (80%) from Classic and minimum from Peshawar Local (36.67%). Density and parastitism rate of natural enemies of pea pests was not dependent on pea varieties and weeks, however, the present results will encourage use of natural enemies to overcome the hazards of insecticides and resurgence of pea pests.
Imtiaz Ali Khan, Ashraf Khan, Komal Habib, Rasheed Akbar, Muhammad Saeed, Abid Farid, Ijaz Ali, Mukhtar Alam. Population density and percent parasitism of natural enemies of pea pests on seven pea (Pisumsativum L.) (Fabales: Fabaceae) varieties in Peshawar. J Entomol Zool Stud 2015;3(4):160-163.