Abstract
An extensive survey was undertaken to explore the diversity of fauna of Scymnini associated with sucking pests viz., mealybugs, aphids and whiteflies on fruits, vegetables, plantation crops, ornamentals and other associated plants across Kerala during 2015-17. Scymnini along with associated prey were collected, and in the laboratory, beetles were dissected to study the male genitalia for identification, while prey were identified by the expert in the concerned taxa at NBAIR. The study recorded 14 species of Scymnini in five genera associated with 19 species of prey (12 mealybugs, 5 aphids and 2 whiteflies). The five genera include Axinoscymnus, Cryptolaemus, Horniolus, Nephus and Scymnus. Scymnus , the predominant genus was represented by three subgenera viz., S. (Scymnus), S. (Pullus) and S. (Neopullus). S.(Pullus) coccivora Ayyar recorded the maximum prey range of six species of mealy bugs. Nephus regularis (Sicard) was recorded for the first time in Kerala. The study identified Toxoptera odinae (van der Goot) as a new prey record for S. (P.) pyrocheilus Mulsant.
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