Population Dynamics of Sunflower Insect Pests and their Natural Enemies
Population Dynamics of Sunflower Insect Pests and their Natural Enemies
Muhammad Basit1, Shafqat Saeed2, Mushtaq Ahmad Saleem3, Rana Zulfiqar4
ABSTRACT
A field study was carried out during 2008 and 2009 to evaluate the population fluctuation of insect pests and their predators in sunflower ecosystem. The data revealed that B. tabaci and Empoasca spp were present throughout the cropping season. Their average maximum populations (5.65 and 3.20 individuals / leaf) were recorded during 3-week of May 2009. Aphis gossypii was recorded during the month of March and its maximum population (28.3 individuals / leaf) was observed during 2-week of March 2009. Likewise, Nysius inconspicuous was observed during seeds development and its maximum population (126 individuals / head) was recorded during 4-week of April 2009. Spodoptera spp, Thysanoplusia orichalcea and Heliothus were also found but in small numbers. Among natural enemies, ladybeetles and spiders were found to be the putative predators with maximum population of 3.9 and 3.5 individuals/plant, respectively. Further, correlation study indicated that syrphids and chrysoperla had a significant positive correlation with A. gossypii and T. orichalcea, respectively. Likewise, spiders and lady beetles had significant positive relationship with B. tabaci, N. inconspicuous and Empoasca spp. Furthermore, temperature had a significant positive correlation with B. tabaci, N. inconspicuous and Empoasca spp, suggested increased in temperature also increased their population. In conclusion, B. tabaci, Empoasca spp and N. inconspicuous are major pests of sunflower which should be controlled by exploiting of spiders and lady beetles.
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