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Consumption of Citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri by two predators, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant and Chrysoperla carnea (Stephen), under controlled conditions

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Abstract

Insect predators are general feeders of sucking insects especially mealybugs, aphids, thrips due to their polyphagous needs. Two insect predators like Cryptolaemus montrouzieri as adult and Chrysoperla carnea as larva are important ones especially for Planococcus citri. It is crucial to know their potential for different nymph densities of P. citri under controlled conditions. For this study five varying nymph densities of P. citri of each nymphal instar at 8, 16, 32, 64 and 128 individuals for each predator were offered on daily basis to estimate their daily consumption. Mealybug individuals consumed and mortality of predatory insects was observed daily until instars changed to pupa in case of C. carnea and for period of five days in case of adult beetle. Results revealed that predation rate of both predators (C. carnea, C. montrouzieri) increased with increase in density of P. citri. The lowest number of P. citri of first instar (79, 111.45, 122.79) were devoured by first, second and third larval stages of C. carnea at the lowest density (8 P. citri/day). On other hand, the highest number of individuals (442, 637, 905 of P. citri) were consumed in high density treatment i.e., 128 P. citri/day) till pupation. Third larval stage of C. carnea exhibited higher predation rate (905 P. citri) than by first and second larval instars under the highest prey density (442, 637 P. citri). On other hand, C. montrouzieri adult devoured the least (2, 5, 4 P. citri of first, second and third instar) at the lowest density (8 P. citri/day), respectively but 39 of first, 29 of second and 8 of third instar were consumed at the highest density of 128 P. citri/day in five days. Predation rate of both predators decreased with increasing size of mealybugs. We suggest that both predators have significant predation potential to be utilized for the management of citrus mealybug in orchards.

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Abbreviations

H:

Hour

CMB:

Citrus Mealybug

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Acknowledgements

RB is thankful to the PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan for facilities to perform her research work. She is also obliged to her university for awarding study leave during her research studies.

Funding

Present research work was performed in the Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Entomology, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi. There was no financial grant available and student arranged the requirements to perform the experiment for her PhD research work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah, Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

    Rehana Bibi, Munir Ahmad, Asim Gulzar & Muhammad Tariq

  2. Department of Plant Protection, Ghazi University, D. G. Khan, Pakistan

    Rehana Bibi

  3. Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Pir Mehr Ali Shah, Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

    Muneer Ahmad

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  1. Rehana Bibi
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Contributions

RB: performed the experiment, analyzed and prepared the manuscript. MA: guided the research work, presentation, manuscript preparation. MT: conceived the idea and early experimental planning. AG: helped for data analysis and early manuscript preparation. MAD: guided for presentation of the data and experimentation planning. All authors have read and approved the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Rehana Bibi.

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Citrus mealybug is very important insect pest and requires application of different control methods like insecticide use, natural biocontrol agents, other practices etc. The collection, testing and experimentation protocols followed were according to the general procedure of testing under controlled laboratory conditions with no harm to environment.

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Bibi, R., Ahmad, M., Gulzar, A. et al. Consumption of Citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri by two predators, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant and Chrysoperla carnea (Stephen), under controlled conditions. Int J Trop Insect Sci 43, 83–91 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-022-00921-4

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