Mass Rearing of Mealybug Predator, &lt;em&gt;Cryptolaemus montrouzieri&lt;/em&gt; Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on two Mealybug Species, &lt;em&gt;Planococcus minor&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;Pseudococcus viburni&lt;/em&gt;

D U M Gunawardana,K S Hemachandra

doi:10.4038/tar.v31i1.8342

Mass Rearing of Mealybug Predator, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on two Mealybug Species, Planococcus minor and Pseudococcus viburni

D U M Gunawardana, K S Hemachandra

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4038/tar.v31i1.8342

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Journal: Tropical Agricultural Research	Publication Date: Jan 1, 2020
Citations: 2	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: University of Peradeniya

Abstract

Mealybug predator, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is an effective biocontrol agent against various species of mealybugs. This study was aimed to develop a protocol for mass production of C. montrouzieri with the aid of two mealybug host species; Planococcus minor and Pseudococcus viburni, under laboratory conditions. The predator was reared on P. minor and P. viburni, using two substrates; local pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) and Malaysian pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima). The incubation period of eggs, durations of first instar larvae and pupae of C. montrouzieri were significantly different with two host species (p<0.05). Production of C. montrouzieri was significantly vary (F(1,12) = 75.32, p<0.001) with the two pumpkin varieties. Production of C. montrouzieri was significantly higher with local pumpkins; C. moschata (t(14) = 6.11; p<0.05). The results indicated that, by starting the culture with 20 females and 15 males of C. montrouzieri, an average of 300.3 ± 41.8 and 180.4 ± 36.5 C. montrouzieri adults can be produced using two pumpkin varieties: C. moschata and C. maxima, respectively (surface area 1000 cm2). Production of C. montrouzieri was significantly varied with the number of grooves appear on the surface area (1000 cm2) of the pumpkin variety, C. maxima with the two host P. minor (R2= 0.9608, F(1,2) = 49.06, p<0.05) (Y = 7.326*X + 41.02) and P. viburni (R2= 0.9470, F(1,2) = 35.76, p<0.05) (Y = 15.14*X – 53.22). Cost of production for a single C. montrouzieri, with the host P. minor reared on local pumpkin, C. moschata was found to be the lowest. It can be concluded that the selected mealybug species reared on C. moschata was more suitable for mass rearing the mealybug predator.

Highlights

Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) are soft-bodied insects, having piercing and sucking mouth parts
(a) Developmental duration for C. montrouzieri reared on two mealybug species; P. minor and P. viburni The period between the egg laying and the egg hatching was considered the developmental period of C. montrouzieri eggs
The cost of production for a single predatory beetle C. montrouzieri, with mealybug species P. minor reared on local pumpkin; C. moschata was found to be the lowest (Rs. 24.11)

Summary

Introduction

Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) are soft-bodied insects, having piercing and sucking mouth parts. They feed on the cell sap and cause a considerable damage to a wide range of field and horticultural crops (Venkatesha and Dinesh, 2011). C. montrouzieri onto the mealybug developed pumpkins The adults of C. montrouzieri were obtained from meaylbug infested cassava fields around Gannoruwa area, and reared on two mealybug species separately, under laboratory conditions (26–30 °C, R.H- 5585%) using rearing cages (60 x 50 x 50 cm). Thirty-five (20♀ + 15♂) 20-day old adults of C. montrouzieri were introduced onto each fruit after 25-30 days of initial mealybug inoculation. Inoculation of mealybug egg masses on pumpkins (Day 3). Cryptolaemus larval development on pumpkin (Day 37-48).

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