Among the major insect pests that attack potato, the Epilachna beetle, Epilachna vigintioctopunctata is very important in Asia. It is widely distributed in South and East Asia, Australia, America, and the East Indies. Commonly £ 12 stigma and E. 28 punctata, E. ocellata and Henosepilachna sparsa attack sola‐naceous plants. The peak period of infestation varies with’ the region, but the peak is in July‐August. The pest also feeds on brinjal (egg plant), tomato, tobacco, pumpkin and bitter gourd. The larvae and adults scrape the green matter from leaves and cause damage up to 80%. The morphology and biology are described. Among the various components of management, the predator reduviid bug, Rhinocoris fuscipes (Fab.) is recorded and seven larval parasites have been found, with 53–5–77–5% parasitization. Aspergillus flavus and Bacillus thuringiensis are effective against different stages of the pest. Various chemicals including plant products have been evaluated and sprays of 0–5% carbaryl + molasses and quinalphos e.c. were found to be effective for 20 days. The repellent and antifeedant properties of neem, mahua and groundnut cakes have also been established. Varying degrees of malformation were observed after radiation by a 60 cobalt source.
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Rajagopal et al. (1989) studied this question.