Study on infestation of cotton insect stainers on BT-cotton and non BT-cotton in Warangal, Andhra Pradesh Sammaiah Chintha*, Laxman P., Samatha Ch. Department of Zoology, Environmental Entomology Kakatiya University, Warangal-506009, Andhra Pradesh, India *Email: sammaiah_ch@yahoo.com
Online published on 6 December, 2013. Abstract Cotton insect strainers, Dysdercus cingulatus Fabricius (Red cotton bug) and Oxycarenus hyalinipennis Costa, (Dusky cotton bug) were recorded as a major pest of Bt-cotton and non Bt-cotton in agricultural fields of Warangal, Andhra Pradesh, India. The percentage of infested plants ranged from 5 to 40% in Bt-cotton and 1 to 31% in non Bt-cotton during October-2011 to March-2012 by red cotton bug. The percentage of infested plants ranged from 2 to 41 in Bt-cotton and 2 to 35 in non Bt-cotton during October-2011 to March-2012 by Dusky cotton bug. Surveys were conducted every week after sowing of seeds for infestation of plants in both crops. D. cingulatus infestation started in 16th week of Bt-cotton crop and 17th week of non Bt-cotton. The maximum infestation 45.33% was recorded in 28th week of Bt-cotton crop, 37.33% in 27th week of the non Bt-cotton. The infestation of O. hyalinipennis started in 17th week of Bt and non Bt-cotton crops and reached peak infestation 46.33%, in Bt-cotton and 38% non Bt-cotton in 29th week of both crops. Top Keywords Red cotton bug, Dusky cotton bug, Bt -cotton and non Bt-cotton, Warangal. Top |