Management of powdery mildew in mulberry using coccinellid beetles, Illeis cincta (Fabricius) and Illeis bistigmosa (Mulsant)
Abstract
Two species of coccinellid beetles, Illeis cincta (Fabricius) and Illeis bistigmosa (Mulsant) feeding on the fungus, Phyllactinia corylea (Pess.) causing powdery mildew of mulberry were recorded in the mulberry garden of College of Agriculture, Vellayani. Studies on the efficiency of these coccinellids revealed that the treatment where the plants in which 5 pairs of adults were released showed less infection by powdery mildew and was at par with those plants on which 4 pairs, 3 pairs and 2 pairs of coccinellids were released. The percentage disease control was also highest with coccinellids than fungicides and neem oil spray.
