Project Directorate of Biological Control, Post Bag No. 2491, H.A. Farm Post, Bellary Road, Bangalore-560 024, Karnataka, (India).
The response of the encyrtid parasitoid, Leptomastix dactylopii Howard, to various dcnsities of its host mealybug, Planococcus citri Risso, was investigated in the laboratory. Per cent parasitisation decreased, and adult parasitoid emergence increased, with thc increase in host density. Development of immature stages did not differ among different density levels. Per cent female progeny was greater at lower densities. A positive correlation between density and the number of adults emerged, and a negative correlation bctwecn density and parasitisation was observcd. A parasitoid: host ratio of 1: 100 was optimum for parasitoid use and mass production of L dactylopii.
