International Journal of Entomology Research

Authors
Satish Harde, Laxmikant Shinde, Ganesh Phalke

Abstract
The Cotton Mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley is invasive pest which threatening cotton cultivation. Field surveys conducted on Bt and non Bt cotton fields in eight blocks of Jalna district reveals that maximum population of mealybug observed 82.33 and 68.4 per 10 cm of apical shoot during 3^rd week of October in 2013 and 5^th week of September in 2014 season respectively. The maximum population of its natural enemies like, predators viz. Coccinelid, Crysoperla and Spider observed 1.77 (1^st week of October), 2.11 (5^th week of September), 0.68 (1^st week of October) per plant during 2013 and 1.94 (4^th week of September), 1.76 and 0.29 (3^rd week of September) per plant during 2014 season respectively. Incidence of parasitoid (parasitized cocoons) observed to be 31% during 4^th week of October (43 SMW) in 2013 and 24% during 2^nd week of October (41 SMW) in 2014 season. The correlation studies indicates the population of mealybug r=0.20 and r=0.62 and parasitoid r=0.31 & r=0.59 during 2013 and 2014 season shows significant positive correlation with maximum temperature. While significant negative correlation observed between abundance of mealybug population r=-0.13 and r=-0.11 and parasitized cocoons r=-0.41 and r=-0.34 with rainfall in both the season. Weather factors particularly maximum temperature and rainfall affects the population of mealybug and its natural enemies. Cotton growers can manage this pest easily by regular close monitoring of mealybug, its natural enemies and local weather conditions.