Growth and development of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Mulsant) on Phenacoccus solenopsis (Tinsley)

The larva of C. montrouzieri passed through four instars when reared on three different life-stages of P. solenopsis. the mean larval instar duration of C. montrouzieri from I to IV instar when reared on egg stage, first instar nymphs (crawlers) and second instar nymphs was 23.14, 19.31 and 17.82 days, respectively. The longevity of male (62.80 days) and female beetles (69.80 days) was found to be maximum on eggs of P. solenopsis followed by first (61.80 and 65.80 days) and second instar nymphs of P. solenopsis (56.60 and 60 days). The growth and development of C. montrouzieri was found to be favourable when grown on second instar nymps of P. solenopsis as compared to its egg or first instar nymphs of P. solenopsis