The direct toxicity of insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, Azatin, an extract from the Neem tree containing azadiractin, and BotainiGard, a commercial formulation of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana, was assessed on adults of four species of coccinellids--Hippodamia convergens (Guérin-Ménéville), Coleomegilla maculata (DeGeer), Harmonia axyridis Pallas, and Cryptolaemus montrouz...

Under laboratory condition the developmental periods of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri was reduced to an extent 22.7 days at 35°C when fed with Planococcus citri while it maximum (39.0 days) 20°C. The adult longevity ranged from 47.4 51.2 25°C and less (37.6 for both sexes. number eggs laid per female (328.5) feeding potential (182.6 nos) were 30°C than 20°C 35°C.

Environmental factors play a crucial role in influencing sexual selection in insects and the evolution of their mating systems. Although it has been reported that sexual selection in insects may change in response to varying environments, the reason for these changes remains poorly understood. Here, we focus on the mate selection process of a ladybird, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, when experienci...

biochemical characteristics of α-amylase in the digestive system and head glands of cryptolaemus montrouzieri, a key predator of citrus mealybug, planococcus citri (pseudococcidae), were studied. the major isoform of α-amylase with the same molecular weight was detected in both gut and head glands loaded on polyacrylamide-starch gel electrophoresis. moreover, a minor band with much lower intens...

Foreign exploration for natural enemies of pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus , was conducted in Australia from 2000 to 2002. In Queensland, the predaceous beetle Cryptolaemus montrouzieri , the predaceous drosophilid fly, Cacoxenus perspicax and the encrytid parasitoid Gyranusoidea indica were recovered. In Western Australia and the Northern Territory a predatory noctuid , Mataeo...

The hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green, was first reported in the Caribbean in 1994 in Grenada. This was the first record of the insect as a major pest in the New World. By the beginning of 2001, the pest had spread to over 25 territories from Guyana and Venezuela in the South to Bahamas in the North. The pest has also extended its distribution to Central America (Belize) and Nor...