Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

Author(s):
UA Pawar, RV Datkhile, SR Kulkarni, YS Saindane, SV Pawar and CA Nimbalkar

Abstract:
Studies on the biology of grape mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) was carried out under laboratory conditions on pumpkin during the summer (April, 2018) and winter (October, 2018) season, respectively at MPKV., Rahuri. pre-ovipositional period ranged from 3 to 4 and from 6 to 7 days with an average of 3.40±0.52 days and 6.40±0.52 days and the ovipositional period ranged from 5 to 6 days and 7 to 8 days with an average of 5.30±0.48 days and 7.30±0.48 days, respectively. The hatching percentage of eggs varied from 76.67 to 86.67 and 90.00 to 93.33 percent with an average of 83.33±2.80 and 91.33±1.42 percent during summer and winter, respectively. During summer the fecundity ranged from 337 to 428 with an average of 374±40.2 eggs while during winter it ranged from 352 to 496 with an average of 421±49.7 eggs. During summer season the incubation period was 4.20±0.70 and 3.55±0.76 days, the nymphal period was 23.8±1.15 and 21.5±1.13 days, the adult longevity was 8.80±0.68 and 2.40±0.51 days and the total life span was 36.8±1.52 and 27.5±1.44 days in case of female and male, respectively. The incubation period, nymphal period and the adult longevity for female was 7.05±0.83, 25.2±1.30 and 14.2±1.57 days and for male 6.40±0.50, 22.6±1.46 and 4.07±0.80 days and thus accounting 46.5±2.20 and 33.1±1.74 days for total life span of mealy bug, respectively during winter season. The total life cycle of grape mealybug was shorter during summer than winter.