A survey of some coleopterans found in the cultivated vegetable lands of Madhepura, Bihar

Arvind Kumar^a* & Arun Kumar^b
aDepartment of Zoology, B.N.M.V. College, Madhepura, Bihar, India
^bDepartment of Zoology, B.N.M.University, Madhepura, Bihar, India
Received :28^th June, 2019 ; Revised : 05^th August, 2019

Abstract– Vegetables are an important element of the human diet and provides vital source of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Though it is grown throughout the world it faces extreme damage due to several pests. Some vegetables were grown in a specific area, whereas others have gained wide acceptance and have been transported to several continents where they are grown extensively. In the present study a survey have been conducted and different coleopterans such as blister beetles, flea beetles & Colorado potato beetles and their effects particularly on potato was observed. Two methods of trapping the insects were employed, namely hand capture for wingless insects as well as hand net for flying insects. Morphological identification of insects were also done using taxonomic keys, hand lens as well as light microscope for checking fine structures. One of the major drawbacks of such pests is the reduction in yield to such extent that it can incur huge losses. The entire potato plant can be affected by such beetles, which generally consume the leaves, roots & bore the tuber.