Biology of Australian ladybird beetle, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant on Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley

The biological parameters of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri on Phenacoccus solenopsis were studied under laboratory conditions at 17–27°C and 58–82% RH. The mean incubation period and total larval periods were 4.36 and 17.33 days (2.78, 4.64, 6.13 and 3.79 days for 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th instar grubs, respectively). The pre-pupal, pupal and total development period recorded were 2.38, 8.69 and 32.75 days, respectively. Pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition periods were 7.23, 46.75 and 7.80 days, respectively. Males lived longer than females (68.30 and 61.78 days, respectively) and life cycle duration were 100.29 and 93.77 days, respectively. The mean fecundity was 98.15 (eggs/female) and sex ratio (male: female) was 1: 1.36. The per cent hatchability and adult emergence observed were 79.00 and 88.50, respectively.