Biology and Predatory Potential of Micraspis univittata (Hope), a Coccinellid Predator Recorded in Sugarcane Ecosystem

In a survey for natural enemies in sugarcane fields at Harinagar, West Champaran district, Bihar, the coccinellid, Micraspis univittata (Hope) was recorded for the first time in sugarcane ecosystem. The biology of the coccinellid and its predatory potential were worked out at Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, using the sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari (Zehnt.) as the laboratory host. The mean duration of development of M. univittata was 18.8 ± 0.6 days and the adult longevity was 37.7 ± 7.7 days. The predatory potential of grubs was 373 ± 39.6 aphids while the adults preyed on 3659.1 ± 865.9 aphids. The grubs and adults also preyed upon different stages of other sugarcane pests like shoot and internode borers. But they failed to feed on nymphs of whiteflies and eggs and nymphs of pyrilla.