Biology of Mealybug, Rastrococcus Iceryoides (Green) on Citrus

Mode of reproduction of the insect was sexual and oviparous. The female and male nymphs moulted thrice and four times, respectively in 18-24 (20.41 ± 3.16) days and 16-22 (19.50 ± 1.00) days at 26-36 ^oC and 84-91 % R.H. to attain their adulthoods. The male: female ratio was 1: 3.5. The pre-oviposition and oviposition period, fecundity and incubation period of eggs were 6-11 days, 4-6.9 days, 168 – 298 eggs/female and 5.2-7.6, days, respectively.