Biology and morphometrics of root mealybug Formicococcus polysperes Williams (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) infesting black pepper (Piper nigrum Linnaeus)

Abstract

Studies on the biology of Formicococcus polysperes Williams infesting roots of black pepper (Piper nigrum Linnaeus) revealed females reproduced ovoviviparously and the reproductive period including pre larviposition, larviposition and postlarviposition periods lasted for an average of 23.65 ± 2.01, 9.6 ± 3.34 and 4.15± 0.93 days respectively. Gravid females gave birth to 136.15 ± 74.93 crawlers. Development period of females included three nymphal instars whereas males had two nymphal instars, a pre pupal and pupal stages. Duration of first two nymphal instars, third female nymphal instar, pre-pupal and pupal stages 8.4 ± 2.46, 6.35 ± 1.95, 8.4 ± 1.87, 1.4 ± 0.50 and 7.15 ± 0.88 days respectively. Adult males were short lived (1.8 ± 0.52 days) and adult females lived for 37.4 ± 3.10 days. Total life cycle of males was shorter (23.7 ± 3.01days) than that of females (60.55 ± 5.36 days). The sex ratio was 1.00:2.71 (male: female). The morphometric data of all stages are presented.