Biological control of rose aphid (<i>Macrosiphum rosae</i>) using coccinellid beetle (<i>Coccinella septempunctata</i>) under field conditions in Gujranwala, Pakistan

Abstract

&lt;p&gt;Aphids or plant lice are serious pests of various crops including rose. They damage leaves directly by sucking cell sap and indirectly by excreting honeydew, which encourages sooty mold growth. This direct and indirect damage affect plant growth and development. Beetles from family Coccinellidae feed on these aphids and reduce their population in the crop field. The present study was conducted to estimate the feeding efficacy of predatory beetle, &lt;em&gt;Coccinella septempuctata&lt;/em&gt; on rose aphid, &lt;em&gt;Macrosiphum rosae&lt;/em&gt; in rose garden at tehsil &lt;em&gt;Mokhal Sandhuan&lt;/em&gt;, district Gujranwala, Pakistan. Observations on selected rose plants were made for 30 minutes during dawn and dusk in the month of March 2019. Foraging of &lt;em&gt;C. septempunctata&lt;/em&gt; on prey species of aphid was observed on different parts of rose plant (upper and lower quadrats). Predation rate of &lt;em&gt;C. septempunctata&lt;/em&gt; was higher in the morning and also on the upper parts of selected rose plant.&lt;/p&gt;