Predatory Potential of Two Indigenous Anthocorid Predators on Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley and Paracoccus Marginatus Williams and Granara De Willink

Abstract

The predatory potential of two anthocorid predators, Blaptostethus pallescens Poppius and Anthocoris muraleedharani Yamada on cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley and papaya mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink was studied under laboratory conditions. During the nymphal stage, A. muraleedharani could feed on a total of 66 crawlers of P. solenopsis and the adult consumed 141 crawlers. Young nymphs (3-4 day old) of B. pallescens could not predate on P. solenopsis, crawlers, while, the mature nymph could consume 35 P. solenopsis crawlers and adult 23 crawlers. B. pallescens could feed on P. marginatus and the feeding potential was recorded as 18, 29 and 31 crawlers, for young nymph, mature nymph and adult, respectively. However, the longevity of B. pallescens was found significantly reduced when fed on P. marginatus. A. muraleedharani could not predate on P. marginatus. Though B. pallescens could predate on both mealybug species, A. muraleedharani appeared to be a more voracious predator of P. solenopsis based on its greater predatory potential, higher adult longevity and shorter nymphal duration.