HOST PREFERENCE OF RED PUMPKIN BEETLE (Aulacophora foveicollis,Lucas) ON DIFFERENT CUCURBITS

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out to find out the host preference of red pumpkin beetle at the research field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, during March 2012 to June 2012. To find out the host preference of red pumpkin beetle (Aulacophora foveicollis) on different cucurbits. Eight cucurbitaceous plants(varieties) viz. Sweet gourd (Cucurbita moschata), Wax gourd (Benincasa hispida), Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria Molina.) Cucumber (Cucumis sativus), Snake gourd (Trichosanthes dioica), Ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula), Sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica) and Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) were taken to conduct the experiment in Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Data were recorded from 4 day after sowing(DAS) to 64 DAS on number of plants pit-1, damage of infested cotyledon(%), number of infested plants pit-1, number of infested leaves plant-1, total number of infested leaves plot-1, damage of infested flowers(%) and damage of infested fruits(%). Sweet gourd cotyledon showed the maximum damage (45.00%) than that of other cucurbits at 9 DAS, all plants of sweet gourd pit-1 were infested by red pumpkin beetle. The highest leaf infestation (34.00) was observed at 64 DAS. The highest flower damage(%) plot-1 (27.33%) was also observed in sweet gourd at 54 (DAS), whereas the highest damage percentage of infested fruits plot-1(36.67%) was also observed in sweet gourd at 64 DAS. Sweet gourd was found in highly preferred condition by RPB and bitter gourd was found in least preferred condition by red pumpkin beetle in this study.