USE OF SOME CHEMICALS AND NON-CHEMICAL METHODS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF RED PUMKIN BEETLE, AUL4COPHORA FOVEICOLLIS (LUCAS) ATTACKING WHITE GOURD.

Abstract

An experiment was conducted in the experimental field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka during the period of March to August, 2008 to evaluate the effectiveness of some chemicals and non-chemical methods for the management of red pumpkin beetle, Aulacophora foveicollis (Lucas) in white gourd. The experiment comprised of 7 treatments with 3 chemical insecticides (cypermethrin 10EC, chlorpyriphos 20EC, cartap 50SP), 3 non-chemical methods (viz, mosquito net bather at seedling stage, application of ash, hand collection and destruction of adult beetle) and an untreated control. Among the 3 chemicals, cypermethrin IOEC was Ibund as the most effective insecticide in reducing the beetle population (88.20%) as well as in minimizing the percent leaf area damage (17.08%) and increasing fruit length (23.62%), diameter of fruit (50.75%) and yield (43.20 %) of white gourd. Application of ash at 7 days interval showed superior performance against the beetle among the nonchemical methods. Considering all 7 treatments, application of cypermethrin I OEC was the most effective for the management of red pumpkin beetle followed by application of ash, ehiorpyriphos, cartap, hand collection and destruction of adult beetle and mosquito net barrier at seedling stage respectively.