Influence of semi-synthetic diets and non-living substrata on the ovipositional behaviour of Scymnus coccivora Ayyar (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera)
Author:
R.K. Murali Baskaran, G. Mahendiran, K. Suresh
Total Page Count: 5
DOI:
Page Number: 187 to 191
Department of Agricultural Entomology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai - 625 104, Tamil Nadu, India.
Abstract
Studies on the evaluation of three honey based semi-synthetic adult diets on the fecundity of Scymnus coccivora indicated that adults fed on Maconellicoccus hirsutus with honey 50% + multivitamin 10% + tocopherol acetate 0.5% had increased the ovipositional period from 25 to 30 days which correspondingly enhanced the egg production by 26.2 per cent (729.5 eggs/20 adults). Absorbent cotton (4 x 4 cm) was identified as best substrate for oviposition by S. coccivora, receiving 33.5 per cent of eggs.
