Biology and predatory potential of Mallada boninensis (Okamoto) against sucking pests.

Abstract

Biology and predatory potential of Mallada boninensis on different sucking pests viz., eggs and nymphs of citrus blackfly (Aleurocanthus woglumi), nymphs of citrus psylla (Diaphorina citri), nymphs of different aphids (Aphis gossypii, A. craccivora, Lipaphis erysimi and Uroleucon compositae) and eggs of rice moth (Corcyra cephalonica) were studied in the laboratory under controlled temperature and humidity conditions of 26±2°C and 65±5% R.H. respectively in Bio-control Laboratory of Entomology Section, College of Agriculture, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India during 2002-03. The highest larval duration was observed as 16.66 days when reared on nymphs of Uroleucon compositae, while the lowest pupal duration was recorded as 8.26 days when larvae were reared on eggs of A. woglumi. Maximum adult longevity of male (37.06 days) was observed when their larvae were grown on nymphs of A. woglumi and maximum longevity of female (53.22 days) and oviposition period of 46.6 days was recorded with eggs of C. cephalonica as a larval food. The lowest pre-oviposition period of 4.4 days and highest incubation period as 4.53 days was recorded with the diet of nymphs of A. woglumi. The maximum feeding potential of M. boninensis was recorded as 734.66 with eggs of C. cephalonica. On the basis of influence on the various biological parameters of the predator, it could be inferred that the laboratory host i.e. eggs of C. cephalomica was found to be the most suitable host for rearing and nymphs of A. woglumi, and A. gossypii can be used a substitute.