Spatial distribution of the mycophagous ladybird predator, Illeis cincta (Fabricius) (Coleoptera Coccinellidae) in relation to powdery mildew disease in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) canopy
Jagadish KS, Basavaraj K and Geetha S
To determine the spatial distribution pattern of I. cincta in relation to powdery mildew; an investigation was conducted at the Main Research Station, UAS, Hebbal, Bangalore in July to October, 2012. The results clearly indicated that the maximum number of all the life stages of the beetle (40.10 ± 19.43) as well as highest disease severity (7.45 + 1.49) were found at the lower part of the crop canopy, as compared to the middle (20.00 + 12.22 & 4.60 + 2.03) and top (6.40 + 5.81 & 1.25 + 1.33) level canopies, respectively. Therefore, the severity of powdery mildew as well as the incidence of the predatory beetle was greater in the basal portion of the crop, followed by the middle and top level canopy. The correlation coefficient analysis between the numbers of different life stages of I. cincta with powdery mildew severity revealed that the number of egg masses, grubs, pupae and the total number of all life stages of I. cincta were positively correlated with the powdery disease severity, whereas the number of adult beetles was negatively correlated with disease severity. However, the number of grubs (0.654*) at middle canopy and at lower canopy (0.913**) and the total number of all life stages of I. cincta (0.680*) were significantly positively correlated with powdery mildew severity in middle canopy respectively.
Jagadish KS, Basavaraj K, Geetha S. Spatial distribution of the mycophagous ladybird predator, Illeis cincta (Fabricius) (Coleoptera Coccinellidae) in relation to powdery mildew disease in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) canopy. J Entomol Zool Stud 2017;5(5):331-334.