Feeding potential of Scymnobius sordidus Horn (Family: Coccinellidae) on cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis (Tinsley)

Abstract

During 2008-2011 five natural enemies against mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis were recorded from agriculture fields of Vadodara. Out of these natural enemies Scymnobius sordidus was used for recording feeding potential against mealybug. The result shows that the fourth instar larvae were voracious feeder. It was feeding around 36.2± 0.42 number of mealybug nymphs and 2.8 ± 0.2 number of mealybug adults. In its life cycle, the larva stages consumed around 61.6±0.48 nymphs and 7.6±0.48 adults of mealybug. Hence, S. sordidus is having good potential as bio control agents against mealybug.