Response of cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis

Tinsley (Sternorrhyncha: Pseudococcidae) to different

management tactics under semi-field and field
conditions
Khalid Abdullah1 and Mamoon ur Rashid2 (12font size)
1

Cotton Commissioner, Ministry of Textile Industry, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad

E-mail: khalidabdullah99@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Two trials were carried out under semi-field and field conditions to find out the compatibility of two
native predators, Chrysoperla carnea larvae and adults of Brumus suturalis and the exotic predator
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri with neem oil for the management of Phenacoccus solenopsis under semifield and field conditions. The assessments were based on mealybug infestation (scale 0-9) and percent
recovery of predators at the end of the experiment showing conservation and colonization capability of
the predator to the prevailing conditions. Both native predators, C. carnea and B. suturalis showed better
control of the mealybug under semi-field and field conditions over control and were also recovered at the
end of the trials. In contrast to these, exotic predator C. montrouzieri though proved to be the most
efficient predator of P. solenopsis under semi-field conditions but it failed to establish under field
conditions and reducing mealybug populations and no recoveries were made in either of the treatments
under field conditions. Maximum reduction in the population of tested insect was noticed on the
insecticide treated plants. The present study showed that application of neem oil followed by release of C.
carnea larvae and B. suturalis adults can be swapped to synthetic insecticides for the safer management
of mealybug on cotton.
Key words:

P. solenopsis, C. carnea, B. suturalis, C. montrouzieri, neem oil