Studies on natural enemies of Pink pineapple mealybug, Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Pseudococciade) in Kerala

Abstract

Purposive survey was conducted to document the natural enemies associated with Dysmicoccus brevipes in pineapple growing areas of Kerala. The survey was carried out between January to May 2016 at monthly intervals. Infested fruits were collected from pineapple fields and observed for natural enemies. The natural enemies recorded included four predators [Spalgis epeus (Westwood), Cacoxenus perspicax (Knab) and two species of Scymnus which are yet to be identified], one parasitoid (Chartocerus sp.) and the fungus Aspergillus sp.