Studies on biology of mealy bug (Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green) on custard apple (Annona squamosa L)

Abstract

The present experiment entitled “Studies on seasonal incidence of mealy bug (Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green) and their natural enemies on custard apple (Annona squamosa L)” was conducted during kharif season in year 2021-22, 2022-23 at Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur (C.G.), India. The experiment was laid out in RBD (Randomized Block Design) with 10 treatments and three replications. The treatment consists of T1 (Verticillium lecanii 5 g/liter), T2 (Beauveria bassiana 7.5 g/liter), T3 (Metarhizium anisoplie 5 g/liter), T4 (Verticillium lecanii 7.5 g/liter), T5 (Beauveria bassiana 5 g/liter), T6 (Metarhizium anisoplie 7.5g/liter), T7 (Neemark 5ml/liter), T8 (Buprofezin 2ml /liter), T9 (Flonicamid 0.5g/liter) and T10 (Untreated plots). The study investigated the biology of the custard apple mealy bug, M. hirsutus, under laboratory conditions at room temperature and ambient relative humidity during 2021-2023. The complete life cycle of M. hirsutus was observed using cultures maintained on medium sized potatoes and pumpkins. Methodology included collection of field samples, culture maintenance, observation of different developmental stages, determination of fecundity, hatching percentage, duration of developmental stages and morphometrics. Fecundity was studied by recording number of eggs laid per female. Hatching percentage was calculated by observing hatching from eggs kept on blotting paper. Durations of egg, nymphal instars and adult stages were recorded separately for males and females under laboratory conditions. Morphometric measurements of body length and width were taken for different stages using an ocular micrometer. The study provides information on life history and developmental parameters of M. hirsutus, an important pest of custard apple.