Abstract
AbstractOn potted orange trees, infested with the citrus mealybug Planococcus citri (Risso), in a greenhouse the predator Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant was released in 3 predator: prey ratios (1:10, 9 beetles; 1:15, 6 beetles; and 1:30, 3 beetles).The effect of C. montrouzieri on populations of the citrus mealybug was also compared with Nephus reunioni Furs (Col., Coccinellidae) and a chemical (methidathion) under controlled temperature (25–30°C) and relative humidity (55–70%), where mealybugs were maintained on pumpkins (Cucurbita moschata (Duch.)). Five adults beetles of each predator were released. Methidathion was applied at a concentration of 0.1%.In this study the predator C. montrouzieri effectively reduced mealybug populations. The predator: prey ratio 1:15, 6 in most cases, resulted in lower mealybug populations. When compared with N. reunioni, C. montrouzieri caused a significant reduction in mealybug populations. In most cases, significant differences were not detected between C. montrouzieri and methidathion. This indicates the effectiveness of the predator C. montrouzieri in the control of the citrus mealybug populations.
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