Biology of Nephus regularis (Sicard) on The Invasive Mealybug, Phenacoccus madeirensis (Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Abstract

The mealybug Phenacoccus madeirensis (Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is an invasive exotic pest with an extensive host of more than 130 genera of host plants from 51 families. P. madeirensis is considered one of the most economically significant pests of many fruits, fibre plants, food crops vegetable crops etc. The nymphal and the adult stages cause damage resulting in the withering and yellowing of the leaves. The plant protection products are not very efficient against mealybugs because they have a waxy coating on their bodies and a tendency to hide in cracks. The present study was carried out during the summer season (March-May 2019) in the laboratory of the AGPM Department, Shivaji University, Kolhapur to investigate the biology of N. regularis on P. madeirensis under the controlled laboratory conditions (27±2ºC Temperature and 65± 5% RH). The observed mean pre-oviposition period of N. regularis was 3.4 ± 1.07 days, whereas the recorded oviposition period was 32.6 ± 2.59 days. The post oviposition period of 20.4 ± 1.07 days was observed. The average egg-laying of 92.7 ± 8.41 eggs/ female was also noticed. The recorded mean incubation period was 5.2 ± 0.5 and the larval period lasted for about 10-13 days. The mean duration of pre-pupae and pupae was 1.5 ± 0.7 and 6.5 ± 0.8 days, respectively. The average longevity of male and female beetles noticed was 47.1 ± 1.7 and 58.4 ± 2.16 days, respectively.