Vol. 11, Special Issue 9 (2022)

Author(s):
Sreemohan Reddy V, Sarada G, Ramaiah M, Ruth Ch. and Lalitha K

Abstract:
The present investigation was conducted on biology and growth parameters of Chrysoperla carnea Stephen (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) on two different hosts viz., aphids and mealybugs during 2021-2022 at College of Horticulture, Anantharajupeta. The predator (C. carnea) was reared under laboratory conditions at temperature of 28±2 °C and 65-70% relative humidity. The biology of predator, C. carnea was studied on cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora and guava mealybug, Planococcus citri. The incubation period of eggs on two different preys was similar but the total larval period slightly varied (10.31±0.68 days; 12.75±0.48 days) on aphids and mealybugs respectively. The pupal period was observed as 6.00±0.22 days when fed on aphids and 6.06±0.23 days on mealybug, not showing any significant difference. The total developmental period of C. carnea when fed on aphids (19.88±0.87 days) and mealybugs (22.38±0.63 days) showed a difference of two days. The pre-oviposition period, oviposition period and post oviposition periods of C. carnea when fed on aphids are 5.50±0.34, 23.50±1.38 and 12.83±1.08 days, respectively and with mealybug as hosts, they are 5.20±0.20, 21.00±2.93 and 14.20±0.97 days, respectively. The longevity of male and female adults were observed to be 28.73±0.68 and 41.83±1.30 days on aphids and 28.45±0.54 and 40.40±2.91 days reared on mealybugs. The total life cycle of C. carnea was completed within50.81±1.66 days on aphids and 53.88±1.50 days on mealybugs.