Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-r5zm4 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-26T09:58:20.974Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Rearing procedure for the pre-imaginal stages of the flea beetle (Podagricasjostedti) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), and its developmental biology on okra (Abelmoschusesculentus)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 2008

O.A. Oke*
Affiliation:
National Horticultural Research Institute, PO Box 9643, UI Ibadan, Nigeria
J.A. Odebiyi
Affiliation:
Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Get access

Abstract

A rearing procedure for the pre-imaginal stages of the flea beetle Podagrica sjostedti (Jac.) was developed in the laboratory at room temperature (24–28 °C) relative humidity of 79–92% and a 12 h photoperiod. Adults were reared in a designed oviposition cage that was developed from a transparent plastic vial, which allowed the eggs to be seen. Eggs were kept in an incubation dish for eclosion, which happened within 7–11 days. One-day-old larvae were used to infest two okra seedlings (4 weeks old each) planted in 200 g sterilized soil and moistened every other day with 16.6 ml of water to half-filled capacity. Larvae were retrieved by washing off infested soil through 3 and 1 mm mesh and then a muslin cloth. Pupae were reared in a jar containing moistened sterilized soil. This procedure and the specially designed medium permitted, for the first time, a study of the pre-imaginal stages of P. sjostedti. Its life cycle consists of an egg stage (mean length and width of 0.10 and 0.05 mm) and three larval stages (mean head-capsule width of 0.21, 0.36 and 0.49 mm for the first, second and third instars, respectively): pre-pupa, pupa and adult. The length of pupae averaged 3.10 mm and the width was 1.40 mm. The mean life cycle was 37 days. The mean pre-oviposition period was 7.7 days, oviposition period was 49.2 days and post-oviposition period was 6.5 days. Females were significantly larger than males and the sex ratio (female: male) was 1.52:1.

Type
Research Paper
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Adenuga, A. O. (1970) Studies on the biology of Podagrica sjostedti (Jac.) and Podagrica uniforma (Jac.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Nigerian Entomological Magazine 2, 3942.Google Scholar
Atiri, G. I., Ivbijaro, M. F. and Oladele, A. D. (1991) Effects of natural and synthetic chemicals on the incidence and severity of okra mosaic virus in okra. Tropical Agriculture (Trinidad) 68, 178180.Google Scholar
Chu, H. F. (1949) The Immature Insects. W.C. Brown, Dubuque, IA. 234 pp.Google Scholar
Dyar, H. G. (1890) The number of moults of lepidopterous larvae. Psyche 5, 420422.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hawkeswood, T. J. and Jolivet, P. H. (2002) Notes on the biology and host plants of the Australian leaf beetle Podagrica submetallica (Blackburn, 1894) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Alticinae). Journal of the Entomological Research Society 4, 510.Google Scholar
Kinoshita, G. B., Svec, H. J., Harris, C. R. and McEwen, F. L. (1979) Biology of the crucifer flea beetle. Phyllotreta cruciferae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in South Western Ontario. Canadian Entomologist 111, 13951407.Google Scholar
Odebiyi, J. A. (1980) Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence of Podagrica spp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on okra in Southwestern Nigeria. African Journal of Agricultural Sciences 6, 8384.Google Scholar
Odebiyi, J. B. (1981) Studies on the biology of the pod-borer Maruca testulalis in Kenya – 1. Determination of the larval instars. Insect Science and Its Application 1, 339341.Google Scholar
Odebiyi, J. A., Osisanya, E. and Tayo, T. O. (1981) Assessment of damage caused by the leaf-eating beetles, Podagrica spp. on okra in Southwestern Nigeria. African Journal of Agricultural Sciences 8, 103112.Google Scholar