Field efficacy of Australian ladybird beetle Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant in the suppression of Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) on sapota

The pink hibiscus mealybug Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) appeared on sapota (Manilkara zapota Forbcrg) in April 2003 at the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research Farm, Bangalore. The Australian ladybird beetle Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant was released @20/plant on sapota plants infested with mealybugs. The mealybug population declined from 54.20/plant on April 23, 2003 to 1.50/plant on June 15, 2003. No other natural enemy except C. montrouzieri was observed on M. hirsutns in the present study. There was no significant influence of weather factors, namely, maximum and temperature, morning and evening relative humidity and rainfall, on the mealybug population. The decline in the mealybug population on sapota was attributed to the predatory activity of C. montrouzieri.