Feeding Potential of Adult Menochilus sexmaculata and Coccinella septempunctata on Passionvine Mealybug, Planococcus minor Eggs and Nymphs
Feeding Potential of Adult Menochilus sexmaculata and Coccinella septempunctata on Passionvine Mealybug, Planococcus minor Eggs and Nymphs
Muhammad Ishaque Mastoi1*, Ibtasam Riaz2, Syed Muneeb Haider2, Arfan Ahmed Gilal3, Anjum Shehzad4, Ahmed Zia4 and Abdul Rauf Bhatti4
ABSTRACT
Passionvine mealybug, Planococcus minor has caused severe losses to many important crops and vegetables. However, many natural enemies, particularly predators have demonstrated key influence on its population regulation. Thus, this laboratory study was conducted to evaluate feeding potential of two coccinellid predators i.e., Menochilous sexmaculata and Coccinella septempunctata on eggs and nymphs of P. minor. Results confirmed that both species of coccinellid showed feeding potential against eggs and nymphs of P. minor. Comparatively, M. sexmaculata showed higher feeding than C. septempunctata on various immature stages of M. minor. Moreover, both the species showed relatively more preference on eggs of P. minor than nymphs. Therefore, both the species can be exploited in field conditions against P. minor to keep its populations below threshold level.
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