Occurrence & distribution of Zygoramma bicolarata pallister (coleoptera: chrysomelidae) the biocontrol agent of Parthenium hysterophorus l. In Rahuri taluka

Author(s): Chaudhari S. V.

Abstract

Parthenium hysterophorus L. is a serious weed in India, covering about 5 million ha of land. Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister the leaf beetle, Mexican was considered a safe biocontrol agent. It causes extensive damage to Parthenium plants. Its occurrences & distribution was studied in villages from Rahuri Taluka in Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra State, India. It is mainly influenced by Agricultural practices performed by Mahatma Phule Agricultural University hence it will be interesting to study the occurrence and distribution of Zygogramma on Parthenium. The adult beetles were collected during the months of June to December 2012-13. It is found to be a promising, safe biocontrol agent. Its distribution among farmers can help to control the weed. Total number of insects (Mexican beetle) collected from 15 groups / localities from Rahuri taluka (Zygogramma was collected from about 64 villages out of 80) is 4979 from June 2012 to December 2012. And it was 4915 for the year 2013. The average of the two years was 4947. The highest collection and occurrence was observed in village Kondawad. It was found to be 734 insects. Maximum collection / occurrence of insects observed were 418 and 353 in the Month of October in villages Kendal and Kondwad, respectively. Insects were not observed from January onwards as they go in to hibernation in winter season. The data on preference of food by Z. bicolorata on crop plants along with carrot weed indicate that the adults moved within about 3-15 minutes from crop plants to Parthenium hysterophorus, indicating that they are not polyphagus except sunflower. Its life cycle and morphology was studied. Duration of different life stages recorded. Foraging activity on Parthenium by Apis florae and Apis indica observed.

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