Field Efficacy of Micromus Timidus Hagen Under Cotton Ecosystem

Field investigations were undertaken at Main Agriculture Research Station, Dharwad to study the effect of release of predator, Micromus timidus Hagen under cotton ecosystem against aphid, Aphis gossypii (Glover). Predator was released @ 1,3,5 pairs of adults and 5 eggs/plant. Release of 5 and 3 pairs of M. timidus adults reduced the aphid population to the tune of 67.23 and 40.62%, respectively at 25 days after release (DAR). Peak activity of M. timidus was recorded at 15 DAR by recording maximum number of eggs, larval and pupal stages in 5 and 3 pairs of adults release treatment and decreasing trend was noticed at 25 DAR.