Predators and parasitoids of cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Perambalur district of Tamil Nadu

摘要

Solenopsis mealybug, (Phenacoccus solenopsis) infests cotton at Perambalur district of Tamil Nadu. During the surveys carried out during 2008-10, coccinellids Scymnus nubilus Mulsant, Hyperaspis maindroni Sicard, green lacewing, spiders, Aenasius bambawalei Hayat, Homalotylus eytelwenii Ratzeburg (Encyrtidae) Promuscidea unfasciativentris Girault and Coccophagus sp. (Aphelinidae) were recorded. The per cent emergence of S. nubilus was highest (68%) during second week of February and lowest (6%) during last week of November. The highest percentage (18%) of H. maindroni was recorded during second week of February and lowest (2%) during third week of March. The highest parasitisation (76%) by A. bambawalei was recorded during last week of February whereas it was lowest (8%) during last week of December. Similarly, the highest parasitisation (28%) by P. unfasciativentris was recorded during third week of February whereas it was lowest (2%) during third week of March. But the percent parasitized mealybug by Coccophagus sp. was very lower than others. A. bambawalei and P. unfasciativentris were most common parasitoids on mealybug P. solenopsis in cotton.