IMPACT OF MALE DENSITY AND FOOD SOURCES ON THE PROGENY DEVELOPMENT OF COTTON MEALYBUG, PHENACOCCUS SOLENOPSIS (HEMIPTERA: PSEUDOCOCCIDAE)

The study was conducted to determine the effect of different male densities (1:0, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3,1:4 and 1:5 female: male) and different types food sources [Papaya (Carica papaya), Shoeflower (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), Tomato (Lycopercicon esculentum), Potato (Solanum tuberosum), Brinjal (Solanum melongena), Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo), Water melon (Citrullus lanatus), Silvery, Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) on the progeny development of P. solenopsis. The results revealed that the maximum eggs/ovisac were observed in Silvery (185.6) and minimum in shoeflower (99.5), tomato (98.5), brinjal (98.0) and cucumber (93.457). Similarly, maximum off-springs were observed on silvery (140.32) and minimum on shoeflower (81.6). Female feeding on brinjal and silvery supported maximum males production (33.2-35.5 males/ovisac) and pumpkin administrated minimum males/ovisac (18); while, female feeding on shoeflower and tomato demonstrated maximum female production (40.2-45.4 females/ovisac) and feeding on potato and pumpkin exhibited minimum females production (20.2-21.9 females/ovisac). The maximum fecundity, hatchability and mortality were demonstrated in treatments where females were fed on the silvery and papaya as food source. The results of second experiment revealed that number of eggs/ovisac increased with increase in number of males. The maximum number of eggs/ovisac (29.3), offspring/ovisac (29.7), males/ovisac (8.7) and female/ovisac (15.2) were produced where male-to-female sex ratio was maintained at 5:1, 3:1, 1:1 and 3:1, respectively; whereas, maximum mortality was recorded at male-female sex ratio of 3:1 (32.6%), followed by 4:1 (31.7%). In conclusion, silvery and shoeflower proved suitable host plant as former supported more fecundity and hatchability and later supported more female production. However, male-female ratio revealed variable results.