Development and growth of Exochomus quadripustulatus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae): a predator of mussel scale Lepidosaphes ulmi (Homoptera: Diaspididae) on apple
2012
Ahmad, K.F. (COMSATS Inst. of Information Technology, Abbottabad (Pakistan))
Exochomus quadripustulatus L., a polyphagous predatory beetle of both aphids and diaspidids, is capable of developing on mussel scale Lepidosaphes ulmi L. alone. The development of E. quadripustulatus from egg to pupa was completed in 94-128 (107.5 plus minus 8.35) and 88-112 (97.83 plus minus 3.8) days in male and female, respectively. Adult female has a unique tendency of egg lying with varying numbers of eggs/day under protected places; technique of egg collection is described. A significant linear relationship on the biological measurement was found between head capsule width and the larval body length; size and weight of both larva and adult. Some of the adults E. quadripustulatus when fed on L. ulmi lived for 114-305 days while other survived 8-53 days under field insectary conditions. It may be concluded that E. quadripustulatus is capable of playing its role in reducing the mussel scale L. ulmi populations on apple alone even if the other alternate prey (aphid) is not available in the field.
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