Feeding potential of Chrysoperla carnea and Cryptolaemus montrouzieri on cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis.

Abstract

The feeding potential of Chrysoperla carnea larvae and adults of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri on different nymphal instars of cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis was investigated in ambient laboratory conditions at Agricultural Research Institute, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan. Both predators were found very active and successfully consumed all the nymphal instars of P. solenopsis. The daily predation rate of C. carnea larvae increased slowly during the first two larval instars and reached to its peak in the third larval instar. First instar nymphs of P. solenopsis were the most preferred food of different larval instars of C. carnea. Third instar larvae of C. carnea were the most voracious feeder and consumed significantly high number of first, second and third instars nymphs of mealybug as compared to first and second instar larvae of the predator. Adult C. montrouzieri consumed significantly more first instar nymphs of mealybug than second and third instar nymphs. These results indicate that C. carnea and C. montrouzieri have great potential for the biological control of P. solenopsis.