BIOLOGY OF THE MEALYBUG, PLANOCOCCUS CAJANI MUKHERJEE & MUKHOPADHYAY (PSEUDOCOCCIDAE : HOMOPTERA)
A.K. MUKHOPADHYAY *
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ENTOMOLOGY BIDHAN CHANDRA KRISHI VISWAVIDYALAYA MOHANPUR-741 252, INDIA.
G. MUKHERJEE *
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ENTOMOLOGY BIDHAN CHANDRA KRISHI VISWAVIDYALAYA MOHANPUR-741 252, INDIA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Biology of mealybug, Planococcus cajani Mukherjee & Mukhopadhyay has been worked out. Mode of reproduction of the insect is sexual and oviparous. The female and male nymphs moult thrice and four times, respectively in 16-21 (18.41 ± 1.70) days and 13-19 (16.26 ± 2.0) days at 28.1-29.9°C and 84-93% R.H. to attain their adulthood. The male : female ratio is 1 : 1.30. The pre-oviposition and oviposition period, fecundity and incubation period of eggs are : 2-5 (3.4 ± 1.35) days, 3-7 (4.6 ± 1.49) days, 54-225 (163.16 ± 57.86) eggs/female and 4.5-6.0 (5.2 ± 5.0) days, respectively.