Development and Feeding Potential of Coccinellid Predator, Cryptolaemus montrouzieti Muls. on the Grape Mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green)

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Authors

  • Division of Entomology and Nematology, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore 560089 ,IN
  • Division of Entomology and Nematology, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore 560089 ,IN

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18311/jbc/1987/15378

Keywords:

Cryptolaemus montrouzieti, Maconellicoccus hirsutus, Development, Feeding Potential.

Abstract

Development and feeding potential of the coccinellid predator, Cryptolaemus montrouzieti Muls. was studied on the eggs, nymphs and adult females of the grape mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green). The life cycle of the predator was prolonged when it was reared on eggs of mealybugs. Incubation period ranged 4 to 5 days. The grub took 22.80, 13.85 and 13.45 days when reared on eggs, nymphs and adult of male mealybugs, respectively. The prepupal and pupal periods averaged 2.15 and 8.50 days, respectively. Adult longevity averaged 55.90 days for males and 61.40 days for females. The mean fecundity of a mated female was 210.52. The coccinellid grub consumed a total of 881.30 eggs or 259.00 nymphs or 27.55 adult females of M. hirsutus under laboratory conditions.