Behavior of convergent lady beetles in relation to greenbug control in sorghum. Observations and preliminary tests

Starks, K.J. and Wood, E.A. Jr and Burton, R.L. and Somsen, H.W. (1975) Behavior of convergent lady beetles in relation to greenbug control in sorghum. Observations and preliminary tests. Other. U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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Abstract

Hippodamia convergens (Guer.) was imported from California and released in Kansas to study handling procedures and the behaviour of the Coccinellid as a biological control agent against Schizaphis graminum (Rond.) on sorghum. Marking with a fluorescent dye and counting at night with an ultraviolet lamp was the best of several marking techniques tried, but had limitations. Even and rapid distribution of imported beetles in a sorghum field was not attained, although hand distribution was expedited by using a modified grass seeder. Attempts at keeping beetles in the field where they were released by providing shelter, offering water, and releasing at night were generally unsuccessful. Beetles from California were not as effective as native ones in keeping S. graminum under control on plants in the greenhouse. In laboratory tests, the effectiveness of the Californian beetles improved at high temperatures, but their length of life was reduced. Native beetle populations appeared to be highly mobile because there was little reproduction in sorghum fields; the adults may have migrated to overwintering areas while food was still available. Summer and autumn aggregations of aestivohibernating beetles were found at the highest elevation in several areas, although these positions were not near sorghum fields

Item Type:	Monograph (Other)
Author Affiliation:	ARS, USDA, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74074, USA
Subjects:	Plant Protection
Divisions:	Sorghum
Depositing User:	Ms K Syamalamba
Date Deposited:	17 Sep 2012 05:42
Last Modified:	17 Sep 2012 05:42
URI:	http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/7919

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