Survey and surveillance of natural enemies in mango ecosystem

Abstract

Abundance of natural enemies in mango ecosystem was studied through survey and surveillance. In order to record the natural enemies associated with mango ecosystem surveys were conducted in mango orchards in and around Malihabad block of Lucknow for two years. During the study period ten species of coccinellids and two species of chrysopid predators were recorded. The activity of lady bird beetles was noticed in mango orchard during first week of March to last week of March (10 to 13^th Standard Meteorological Week (SMW) of 2016). Lady bird beetles, Coccinella septempunctata, C. transversalis, and Menochilus sexmaculata, were found in abundance and their population counts were taken. Peak populations of coccinellids were observed during 12^th SMW with 3.3 adult beetles/panicle. Six species of parasitoids were collected from the mango ecosystem, among them; the most abundant parasitoid was Brachymeria lasus, parasitizing mango leaf webber. It was evident that wherever indiscriminate use of insecticides was undertaken, natural enemy population was very low. In unprotected orchards abundant natural enemies were recorded. In order to achieve natural control of the pest it is advised that the orchardists adopt minimal spray may be taken up.