Biocontrol Science and Technology (2009) 19, 773-777

K. Srinivasa Murthy, S.K. Jalali, T. Venkatesan and R. Rajeswari (2009)
Rearing the Mexican beetle Zygogramma bicolorata (Chrysomelidae: Coleoptera) on a semi-synthetic diet
Biocontrol Science and Technology 19 (7), 773-777
Abstract: A semi-synthetic diet utilising parthenium leaf powder was evaluated for rearing the Mexican beetle Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister under in vitro conditions at 26±1°C, 65% RH. Significant differences were observed in the biological parameters of the beetle viz., the grub survival (54.3%), pupation (47.2%), fecundity (54.6/day) and total developmental period (37.7 days), when reared on the semi-synthetic diet compared to those when reared on natural parthenium leaves (91.5, 85.5, 74.8 and 29.8, respectively). The feasibility of utilising the semi-synthetic diet for mass production of the beetle is discussed.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Sushil Kumar Jalali, Thiruvengadam Venkatesan

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
rearing/culturing/mass production

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Zygogramma bicolorata (weed bioagent)