In vitro feeding potential of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant on different stages of the mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus green

Abstract

The investigation entitled “In vitro Feeding Potential of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant on different stages of the mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green” was conducted at Bio-control Laboratory, IGKV, Raipur. All the stages of C. montrouzieri has evaluated for its feeding efficiency on M. hirsutus and results revealed that C. montrouzieri is the best biological control agent for hibiscus mealybug, M. hirsutus and adult female beetles of C. montrouzieri is the most voracious feeders of mealybugs as it fed 4394.87 eggs, 1917.98 crawlers, 1008.31 Nymphs and 374.91 adults in her total life span.