Journal of Biological Control

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Natural Enemy Complex Associated with the Mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) Infesting Different Host Plants in India


Affiliations
1 Biological Control Laboratory, Division of Entomology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, (ICAR), New Delhi 110 012, India
 

Recently, Indian cotton belt experienced a devastating outbreak of Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley. Natural enemy complex associated with P. solenopsis was explored by conducting extensive field surveys coupled with laboratory screening of samples collected from various localities across the country. A total of seventeen parasitoids inclusive of hyperparasitoids were identified. An encyrtid, Aenasius bambawalei Hayat, was found predominantly on P. solenopsis. Promuscidea unfasciativentris Girault predominated the hyperparasitic fauna. Interestingly, Aphanogmus sp. and Anastatus sp. were recorded for the first time on P. solenopsis. Additionally, eight species of Coccinellidae and two species of Chrysopidae were recovered as important predators.

Keywords

Aenasius bambawalei, Hyper-Parasitoid, Phenacoccus solenopsis, Parasitoid, Predator, Survey.
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  • Natural Enemy Complex Associated with the Mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) Infesting Different Host Plants in India

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Authors

Sachin S. Suroshe
Biological Control Laboratory, Division of Entomology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, (ICAR), New Delhi 110 012, India
R. D. Gautam
Biological Control Laboratory, Division of Entomology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, (ICAR), New Delhi 110 012, India
B. F Babasaheb
Biological Control Laboratory, Division of Entomology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, (ICAR), New Delhi 110 012, India

Abstract


Recently, Indian cotton belt experienced a devastating outbreak of Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley. Natural enemy complex associated with P. solenopsis was explored by conducting extensive field surveys coupled with laboratory screening of samples collected from various localities across the country. A total of seventeen parasitoids inclusive of hyperparasitoids were identified. An encyrtid, Aenasius bambawalei Hayat, was found predominantly on P. solenopsis. Promuscidea unfasciativentris Girault predominated the hyperparasitic fauna. Interestingly, Aphanogmus sp. and Anastatus sp. were recorded for the first time on P. solenopsis. Additionally, eight species of Coccinellidae and two species of Chrysopidae were recovered as important predators.

Keywords


Aenasius bambawalei, Hyper-Parasitoid, Phenacoccus solenopsis, Parasitoid, Predator, Survey.

References