Biology and abundance of the striped flea beetle, Phyllotreta striolata (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), on pak-choi (Brassica campestris var. chinensis L.), and management options against the insect pest

Biology and abundance of the striped flea beetle, Phyllotreta striolata (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), on pak-choi (Brassica campestris var. chinensis L.), and management options against the insect pest

2005

SB330.P3REP-034

The biology of the striped flea beetle, Phyllotreta striolata, was studied on detached pak-choi (Brassica chinensis) leaves in the laboratory and on potted plants in the net house. The total developmental period was 18.35 plus or minus 0.25 days on detached leaves and 25.86 plus or minus 4.44 days on potted plants. Adult longevity was 39.68 plus or minus 14.02 days for males and 36.56 plus or minus 11.53 days for females. The mean fecundity was 619.08 plus or minus 148.60 ova/female. The sex ratio (male:female) was 0.90:1. Of the various Brassicaceae species tested, pak-choi and Indian mustard were the most preferred host plants, followed by Chinese cabbage. The least preferred was Chinese kale. Among the pak-choi cultivars, Black Behi had the highest damage rating while Ching-Chang and Psai-Tsai had the lowest. The weed species Cleome viscosa and C. rutidosperma were likewise fed upon by the beetles. Adult P. striolata although present year round, were most abundant in March. Temperature and rain affected their abundance in the field. Lower population densities occurred during the wet months but higher population densities were present during the warm months. Among the management options evaluated, the most promising included: soil solarization using black or clear polyethylene mulch which significantly decreased the number of larvae and pupae in the soil; netting (32 mesh), which deterred insects from attacking the plants; and mulching with rice straw and rice hull, which reduced feeding damage by adult P. striolata. Fipronil application also protected pak-choi from any insect pest damage.

v.19(1):49-77, PHILIPPINE ENTOMOLOGIST

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