Biology and morphometry of mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on Cotton

Abstract

The biology and morphometry studies of Phenacoccus solenopsis (Tinsley) were studied on cotton genotypes CO 14 and LRA 5166 under laboratory conditions. The duration of first, second and third instar nymphs were 6.20 ± 0.83, 8.40 ± 0.54 and 11.60 ± 0.54 days in CO 14 and 4.40 ± 0.70, 6.00 ± 0.70, 10.40 ± 0.54 days in LRA 5166 with nymphal period 26.20 ± 1.91 and 20.80 ± 1.94 days, respectively. The adult longevity in CO 14 and LRA 5166 was 12.20 ± 0.44 and 9.80 ± 0.83 days, respectively. Average oviposition period was7.40 ± 0.54 and 6.20 ± 0.83 days in CO 14 and LRA 5166, respectively. The average number of eggs per female on cotton genotypes CO 14 and LRA 5166 was 242.60 ± 11.01 and 349.40 ± 22.23 respectively. The total developmental period in CO 14 and LRA 5166 was 38.40 ± 2.35 and 30.60 ± 2.77 days, respectively. The length of first, second, third instar and adult were 11.36 ± 0.51 mm, 12.18 ± 0.65 mm, 13.62 ± 0.79 mm and 15.46 ± 0.52 mm respectively. The width of first, second, third instar and adult were 0.52 ± 0.42 mm, 6.09 ± 0.41 mm, 8.13 ± 0.44 mm and 11.92 ± 0.27 mm, respectively. The antennal length of first, second, third instar and adult were 1.48 ± 0.07 mm, 1.42 ± 0.07 mm, 1.35 ± 0.07 mm and 2.36 ± 0.09 mm, respectively.