Abstract

Cotton mealybug (Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley) proved a menace to subcontinent south East Asia economy since 2005. After introduction of this notorious Caribbean pest it was necessary to identify biological control agents in country which exist in prevailing environment and successfully suppress the pest. In this study eleven spotted ladybird beetle (Coccinella undecimpunctata Linnaeus) proved the best predator whose population structure, biological parameters and predatory potential were determined using no choice feeding trials. It was concluded that 1st instar larvae of  eleven spotted beetle 1st instar is an effective bio-control agent which consumed on an average 91.99 1st instar cotton mealybug wheras 2nd, 3rd instar and adult consumed 45.00, 44.00, 5.44 cotton mealybug respectively. C. undecimpunctata L. 2nd instar larvae devoured 97 1st instar, 35.66 2nd instar and 45.00, 3rd instar cotton mealybug and 7.11 adult stage cotton mealybug respectively, whereas 3rd instar C. undecimpunctata took in 121.66 1st instar, 51.66 2nd instar and 54.33 3rd instar cotton mealybug and 8.21 adult stage cotton mealybug respectively. The larvae of 4th instar C. undecimpunctata preyed 93.00 1st instar, 35.00 2nd instar and 33 3rd instar cotton mealybug respectively and 7.33 adult stage cotton mealybug respectively. Adult female of this beetle consumed higher number of mealybugs than adult male during its whole life. Regarding biological parameters it was proved from the results that C. undecimpunctata is an effective bio control agent of cotton mealybug which can be used in integrated pest management program successfully.

Key words: Coccinella undecimpunctata L, cotton mealybug instars, predatory efficiency, life cycle.

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