Entomophages of the Colorado Potato Beetle, Population Dynamics of <i>Perillus bioculatus</i> Fabr. and Its Compatibility with Biological and Chemical Insecticides

Abstract

Modern plant biosecurity strategies include the use of a wide range of living organisms regulating the number, development and spread of harmful organisms at an economically safe level. We aimed to study the species composition of entomophages of the Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say and their efficiency in pest control. We observed the population dynamics of the stink bug Perillus bioculatus Fabr. and the Colorado potato beetle from 2013 to 2015. Besides, the species composition of entomophages of the Colorado potato beetle in Krasnodar Krai (a region in southwestern Russia) was researched in 2013–2015. The study showed that with a ratio of P. bioculatus: Colorado beetle 1:10–1:15, the efficiency of the entomophage is about 98%. In addition to P. bioculatus, there are other insects that feed on the Colorado potato beetle. Among them, it is worth noting Zicrona caerulea L., Polistes gallicus L., representatives of the Coccinellidae family, etc. The food base and parasitic activity of scelionid ovi-eaters and phasia flies are the main biotic factors influencing the number of predatory bugs. The possibility of combined use of P. bioculatus and preparations of biological origin was studied. The survival rate of adult P. bioculatus under the use of insecticides based on Bacillus thuringiensis var. thuringiensis and Streptomyces avermitilis (ex., Burg et al.) Kim and Goodfellow was 97% and 91%; that of older nymphs—58% and 52%, respectively. Chemical preparations destroyed all age stages of the predator.

Keywords

• entomophages
• predatory bug
• <i>Perillus bioculatus</i> Fabr.
• <i>Leptinotarsa decemlineata</i> Say
• biological insecticides