BIOLOGY OF MEALYBUG, PHENACOCCUS SOLENOPSIS TINSLEY (HEMIPTERA: PSEUDOCOCCIDAE) ON OKRA AND CHINA ROSE UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

The studies were conducted on biology of Phenacoccus solenopsis (Tinsley) on okra and china rose under laboratory conditions at Entomology Section, Agriculture Research Institute (ARI), Tandojam during 2008 and 2009. The results indicated that egg incubation period was 3.6 days in summer and 2.9 days in winter. The developmental period for 1st, 2nd and 3rd instars, adult female longevity and duration of life cycle were recorded as 4.9, 7.9, 5.7, 24.8 and 43.4 days on okra in summer and 9.8, 8.6, 5.8, 27.6 and 51.8 days on china rose in winter season, respectively. The developmental period for 1st, 2nd nymphal instars, pupal stage, male longevity and duration of life cycle were recorded as 5.6, 4.5, 4.3, 2.9 and 17.4 days, in summer on okra and 7.5, 4.4, 5.3, 3.2 and 20.4 days on china rose in winter season, respectively. The sex ratios recorded were 1:33.5 and 1:10.2 male and female in summer and winter seasons, respectively.