Biology of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Mulsant) on Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) at different temperature levels

Abstract

Laboratory experiments were conducted on the biology of C. montrouzieri at different temperature levels viz., 20°C, 25°C, 30°C and 35°C at the Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture. Later during 2014-2015. The incubation period, mean larval duration, growth index, pupal duration and per cent adult emergence of C. montrouzieri was observed to be 14.89, 5.89, 4.20 and 2.17 days, 83.81, 27.8, 24.38 and 11.45 days, 0.39, 3.23, 2.53 and 5.31, 26.25, 8.76, 6.94 and 4.20 days and 92.00, 94.97, 88.00 and 69.34 per cent at 20°C, 25°C, 30°C and 35°C respectively. Longevity of male and female beetles of C. montrouzieri was found to be 87.00 and 96.01 days, 65.61 and 80.78 days, 36.80 and 48.31 days and 24.91 and 35.05 days at 20°C, 25°C, 30°C and 35°C respectively, while the Pre-oviposition and oviposition period of C. montrouzieri to the tune 29.00, 15.20, 13.40 and 9.8 days and 30.80, 32.30, 28.00 and 19.60 days at 20°C, 25°C, 30°C and 35°C temperature respectively.