Aphidicidal activity of Calotropis procera leaves against mustard aphid Lipaphis erysimi (kalt) and its natural predator Coccinella septempunctata (Linn).

Hridayesh Arya; Babu Ram Singh; Kavindra Singh

Volume : VI, Issue : X, October - 2016

Aphidicidal activity of Calotropis procera leaves against mustard aphid Lipaphis erysimi (kalt) and its natural predator Coccinella septempunctata (Linn).

Hridayesh Arya, Babu Ram Singh, Kavindra Singh

Abstract :

secticidal properties and biocidal properties of different plants are examined by several workers for controlling insect pests of different crops as they are gaining global importance due to their biodegradable and ecologically compatible nature and ill effects of synthetic and chemical pesticides such as pest resistance, pest resurgence, detrimental effects on non target organisms and environment. An experiment was conducted to examine the efficacy of ethanolic extract of Calotropis procera leaves against mustard aphid Lipaphis erysimi Kalt which is known to cause a serious damage to Brassica oil seed crop of our country and its natural predator Coccinella septempunctata (Linn.). A stock solution of 8% concentration was prepared in distilled water. The control consisted of 5% ethanol dissolved in water. Three concentrations (2, 3 and 4 percent) of test solution were prepared by its dilution with distilled water and sprayed on parts infested with counted number of 3rd instar nymphs and adults of apterous viviparous females. 4% concentration was found to be quite effective as it caused 52, 66 and 80% mortality in 3rd instar nymphs and 55, 66 and 77% mortality in adult apterous viviparous females in 48, 72 and 96 hours respectively. The leaf extract of C. procera was however, found to be non toxic for the natural predator of aphid Coccinella septempunctata in the present study.