Study on the status of pumpkin beetles infesting cucurbits in some areas of bangladesh

Abstract

Abstract : A comprehensive survey was conducted by extensive tour in Gazipur, Narsingdi, Comilla, Noakhali, Barisal, Rangpur, Dinajpur and Jessore districts of Bangladesh to record the present status of pumpkin beetles infesting cucurbits. Results of survey revealed that two species of pumpkin beetles found on cucurbits in Bangladesh and they were identified as red pumpkin beetle, Aulacophora foveicollis (Lucas) and blue pumpkin beetle, Aulacophora atripennis. The red pumpkin beetle was the most abundant species which representing 82.39% and the blue pumpkin beetle was less abundant species which representing only 17.61% of the total number of beetles recorded during survey. Population of female was higher than that of male in both species. RPB was much larger insects as compared to BPB. In both insect species female adults are larger in dimension than males. The highest population of RPB was found on cucumber followed by bottle gourd and sweet gourd. The highest population of BPB was found on bitter gourd. The maximum population of RPB was in Gazipur followed by Narsingdi and Comilla districts and that of BPB was in Gazipur followed by Noakhali.