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ISSN 2456-7876 Archive of Life Science and Environment (Arch. Life Sci. & Env.) 3(1): 135-142 (2019) EVALUATION OF MEXICAN BEETLE AS BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF PARTHINIUM HYSTEROPHORUS IN DEHRADUN DISTRICT, UTTARAKHAND Nikhil S. Kahera Department of Zoology, Uttaranchal College of Science and Technology, (Dehradun-248001) Uttarakhand, India *Corresponding author. Email: [email protected] Abstract: In the present study, the biology of Zygogramma bicolorata on Parthenium hysterophorus was studied in Dehradun district, Uttarakhand. The result showed that the Mexican beetles laid small, elongated, light yellow eggs on the surface leafs and lid the average incubation period were 4.40±1.68 to 7.93±2.63 and hatching period were 56.00±0.0 to 89.60±17.4 days and the longevity of egg 3.00±0.1 to 5.13±0.2 days. The average larval period of 1st instar (2.50±0.0 to 3.00±0.1), 2nd instar (3.14±0.0 to 2.82±0.1), 3rd instar (2.75±0.1 to 2.86±01,) and 4th in- star (3.29±0.1 to 3.00±0.0). A longevity adult male and female showed average mean is 44.29±0.0 to 178.43±0.0 and 52.43±0.0 to 192.71±0.0 days. Biological control of parthenium is environmentally safe and ecologically viable method. In the study sites, in Tuntuwla region, the population density of Z. bicolorata affected the plants at the rate of 87 %. In the present study, the combined effects of biological control agents reduced the density and vigor of P. hysterophorus weed and increased grass production. Keyword: Zygogramma bicolorata, Parthenium hysterophorus, biological control, Dehradun. Introduction Parthenium hysterophorus L, belong to family As- Rajasthan, low in Andaman & Nicobar, Arunachal teraceae locally known as “Congress Grass or Gajar Pradesh, Goa Kerala, Lakshadweep, Manipur, Ghans” is an international weed and one of the worst Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Pondicherry and weeds in all over the world because of its evasiveness, Sikkim and presenting a major problem in many states potential for spread and economic and environmental that have large areas of no cropped and pastures rain- impact is a weed of global significance occurring in fed land (Sushil kumar and Varsheny, 2010; Sushil Asia, Africa, Australia and the Pacific (Gaurav et al., kumar, 2012). 2017; Kaur et al., 2014, Dhileepan, 2009). Parthenium It was first observed in India by the East India causes severe human and animal health issues and its Company in its tea gardens at Calcutta. Dr. Brandis pollen causes several allergy reactions, dermatitis, hay elected parthenium in 1880 for the herbarium of FRI fever, asthma and also toxic to cattle (Adhikari and Dehraudn and published some important feature of Tiwari, 2004; Venkataiah et al., 2003; Towers and parthinium (Rao, 1956). Parthinum is herbaceous plant Rao, 1992). According to Rao 1956, parthenium weed grows to a height of 1 to 2 m, with the alternative was first reported in India in 1955 and now occurs leaves which are simple, grayish green, deeply lobed throughout the country and covered about 35 million and hairy. It bears cream coloured cluster of flower hectares of land (Sushilkumar and Varshney 2007). about 4 mm diameter at the top of each branch. Seed P. hysterophorus has also found in neighboring coun- germinate in a hasty manner after shower of rain and tries such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Ne- plant produces number of seeds, which are transported pal (Javaid et al., 2005; Jaisurya 2005; Rahman et al., by water, on vehicles and equipment or with 2008). In 1950, it was first introduced in India due to movement of animals (Uniyal et al., 2001). contaminated PL- 480 wheat imported from the United Biological control of parthenium is the most States of America. India has become one of the most cost-effective, environmentally safe and ecologically parthenium affected countries as compared to others viable method available. Biocontrol of parthenium was countries and this weed is occurring in all of her states first initiated in Australia in 1977. Since then, nine such as Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, species of insects and one fungal pathogen have been Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, introduced, of which at least six species of insects and Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh; medium in the pathogen are known to be established in the field Assam, Gujrat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Jammu (McFadyen, 1992; Dhileepan et al., 1996; Dhileepan &Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Odisha, West Bengal and and McFadyen, 1997). The leaf-feeding beetle All Rights Reserved © Navya Society of Higher Education, www.archiveofsciences.com Kahera / Arch. Life Sci. & Env. 3(1): 135-142 (2019) Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister (Coleoptera: Number of adults at each time interval suggested that Chrysomelidae) is the most prominent agent and it was the beetle underwent four overlapping generations first introduced to Australia from Mexico in 1980 from June to August with an average of almost twenty (McFadyen and McClay, 1981) and subsequently to days for completion Of each generation Kulkarni and India in 1984 (Jayanth, 1987). In India, Z. bicolorata Kulkarni (2000) observed the P. hysterophorus plants became abundant within three years after introduction, in twenty locations in North Karnataka for presence of resulting in a significant reduction in P. hysterophorus Z. bicolorata during August 1999 and found dense density in local areas (Jayanth and Bali, 1994a; population of beetles in Dharwad (10 beetles/plant), Jayanth and Visalakshy, 1996a). In Australia, evidence followed by Bijapur (5.6 beetles/plant) and Raichur of Z. bicolorata activity in the field was first noticed in (3.2 beetles/ plant) (Pandey et al., 1999). 1990 (Dhileepan and McFadyen, 1997). Outbreaks of In the present study we observe the life cycle of Mexi- Z. bicolorata resulting in complete defoliation of small can beetle in controlled environment and the impact of patches of P. hysterophorus were reported from within Mexican beetle on P. hysterophorus selected areas. an area of 200 km2 in central Queensland during 1993. Since then, due to both natural spread by the beetle and Materials and Methods deliberate introductions by farmers, the area with Study Insect: Z. bicolorata, referred as parthenium Z. bicolorata defoliation has increased to around beetle or Mexican beetle native to Mexico. Z. bicol- 12,000 km2, covering more than 50 properties (Gaurav orata is a small beetle with a brown head and having et al., 2017). brown to yellow graduated pronotum. The elongated The beetle got established in and around the released drak brown stripes are present in yellow elytra marked site and showed considerable potential in suppressing (Figure 1). the weed in subsequent 5 years. However, optimistic reports regarding the spectacular suppression of this weed by the beetle were tempered by the observation of beetle attack on sunflower in a few locations, which led to the establishment of the P. hysterophorus. Fact Finding Committee by Indian Council of Agricultural Research to look into the matter. After through the investigation the committee declared that it safe for the sunflower and recommended it’s further releases for suppression of this weed, thereby leading to an end to the raging controversy. This coupled with the promis- ing bio-control potential of this beetle as evidenced by the present and past successes, gave a new momentum to the existing bio-control efforts in the country. Tak- ing into consideration the widespread success of this beetle in other parts of the country, it was introduced Figure 1: Zygogramma bicolorata in Jammu during 1992. In India, the weed was first pointed out in Puna Study Area: The Doon valley is in the form of an (Maharashtra) by Professor Paranjape, 1951, but the irregular parallelogram. It is enclosed by the Shivalik father of Indian Botany record of this species earliest hills and the outer parts of the Himalayan ranges. The in India (Roxburg, 1814). Ever since the weed became deposits of the Doon Valley, having their origin a menace around the globe including India, efforts Himalayan comprise of heavy boulders of gravels, have been made to manage the weed coated with thin covering of soil, which naturally employing different methods (Kaur et al., 2014). exhibits frequent outcrops of its rocky subsoil. The city Chemical treatment was tried to control is situated in the middle of the valley at the altitude of P. hysterophorus plants and observed that they kill 636m. It is enclosed by the Shivalik hills and the outer only existing population at the selected sites parts of the Himalayan ranges. It occupies an area of (Sushilkumar, 2005; Sushilkumar, 2012). There are about 1200 Sq. Km. and between 77035’ and 7802’ E many herbicides have been tested against longitude and 29057’ and 3102’ N latitude. P. hysterophorus in cropped and non-cropped condi- tion (Mishra and Bhan, 1996; Brar and Walia, 1991; Selected Sites: Dehradun where the parthinium Sushilkumar, 2012). population is very dense and the study sites are Tuntu- Z. bicolorata was made for biological control of wala, Jakhan, Nagal, Sahastrdhara, Vijay Colony, P. hysterophorus, and insect the established readily Sewela khurd, Raipur, Anarwala, Garhi Cantt, after the releases were initiated in India in 1984. Since Ganghora, Maldaveta. then, it has spread over an area of more than 200,000 136 Kahera / Arch. Life Sci. & Env. 3(1): 135-142 (2019) The larva or grub passed through the five instars gen- erally, but occasionally 4th instar changed into pupa. Results and Discussion nd In the present study, we divided the whole area in The duration of 1st instar (2.50±0.0 to 3.00±0.1), 2 instar (3.14±0.0 to 2.82±0.1), 3rd instar (2.75±0.1 to study sites for the observation of impact of Mexican th beetle on parthenium grass and for the observation of 2.86±01) and 4 instar (3.29±0.1 to 3.00±0.0).