PREDATORY POTENTIAL OF SOME NATIVE COCCINELLID PREDATORS AGAINST PHENACOCCUS SOLENOPSIS, TINSELY (PSEUDOCOCCIDAE: HEMIPTERA)

Predatory potential of Menochillus sexmaculatus, Coccinella septempunctata, Brumus suturalis, Hippodemia convergens and their four instars against first instar nymphs of cotton mealy bug, Phenacoccus solenopsis was investigated under laboratory conditions. The results showed significant variation in the predatory potential, in term of total, per-day and percent consumption, of four predatory coccinellid species and their instars. The four evaluated predatory species of coccinellids caused more than 80% consumption and contributed significant and prominent role in the consumption of first instar nymphs of cotton mealybug; however, C. septempunctata and B. suturalis, registering total consumption of 538 and 536 nymphs/life and percent consumption of 95 and 92 %, respectively, was found better predator as compared to other two species. All the life stages of four predatory coccinellid species performed well registering more than 80% consumption of first instar nymphs of cotton mealybug, except fourth instar grubs (77.9% consumption); however, adult stage was found more effective predatory stage as maximum and highly significant predation (percent consumption) was registered by this stage (96.7%). Second, third and first instar grubs of all evaluated predatory coccinellid beetles showed 87.6, 86.1 and 81% consumption, respectively. In conclusion, all the predaceous life stage (four instars and adults) of M. sexmaculatus, C. septempunctata, B. suturalis, H. convergens, especially C. septempunctata, B. suturalis, were found potential predaceous stages/predator for first instar nymphs of cotton mealybug and hence, should be evaluated in the fields for their potential effectiveness when used alone or in combination with other IPM tactics.