Seasonality and severity of Cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley on Vegetable crops

Two year survey at fortnightly intervals revealed a total of 18 vegetable plant species from seven families serving as alternate hosts. Round melon (Citrullus vulgaris), Beet root (Beta vulgaris) and Mesta (Hibiscus cannabinus) were the exclusive hosts during cotton season in respect of North, Central and South zones. Vegetable crops common across all cotton growing zones that served as alternate hosts were Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) during cotton season, Sponge gourd (Luffa aegyptiaca), Water melon (Citrullus lanatus) and Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) during off season, and Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) throughout the year. Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) exclusive to Central zone and Tomato common across all zones had extreme (G4) mealybug severity. Considering the seasonality and severity of P. solenopsis on the vegetable hosts across different cotton growing zones, specific and general strategies for suppression of P. solenopsis on cotton in particular and of the pest in general, respectively was formulated for recommendation as cultural management.