Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

BIOLOGY OF MEALY BUG, MACONELLICOCCUS HIRSUTUS (GREEN) UNDER KONKAN, INDIA CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

S. K. Lad, S. A. More2, B. D. Shinde3 and M. M. Mane

Abstract

Biology of mealy bug, M. hirsutus was studied during winter and summer season. The average incubation period was 7.06 ± 0.77 days in winter whereas; in summer it was 4.0 ± 0.76 days. On an average 82.66 and 70.44 per cent eggs were hatched in November and April, respectively. The average preoviposition and oviposition were 6.4 ± 0.55 days and 12 ± 0.85 days, respectively in winter, whereas, 3.9 ± 0.80 and 5.9 ± 0.79 days, respectively in summer. During winter and summer seasons, the fecundity was 307.53 ± 2.07 and 309 ± 87.41 eggs, respectively. In winter, the total nymphal period ranged from 23 to 28 days with an average of 25.73 ± 2.13 days in case of female as against 21 to 28 days with a mean of 23.93 ± 2.96 days, in case of male. Whereas, in summer female nymph developed within 18 to 22 days with an average of 20.19 ± 1.86 days, while male nymph ompleted its development within 17 to 25 days with an average of 21.12 ± 2.92 days. The life cycle from egg to adult emergence in case of male and female mealy bugs took 23.93 ± 2.96 and 32.79 ± 3.92 days in winter season as against 21.12 ± 2.92 and 24.19 ± 2.62 days, in summer season. During winter, adult male and female survived on an average 4.53 ± 0.52 and 18.53 ± 0.99 days, respectively. Whereas, in summer adult male survived on an average of 3.53 ± 1.13 days and female for 9.93 ± 1.16 days.