Biology of Phenacoccus solenopsis (Tinsley) on different hosts

The biology of the mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis (Tinsley) was studied on different hosts under laboratory conditions during 2009–10 and it was found that P. solenopsis reproduced parthenogenetically with ovoviviparity. The female had three nymphal instars whereas the male also posesses a pupal stage. The total developmental period of female nymphs was 22. 5, 26 and 23. 5 days on cotton, Hibiscus (Gurhal) and sprouted potato, respectively. The longevity of an adult female varied from 10 to 13 days on cotton twigs/leaves, 11 to 14 days on hibiscus twigs/leaves and 11 to 14 days on sprouted potatoes. However, the adult winged male had a short longevity of 2. 5, 3. 2 and 3. 3 days on cotton, hibiscus and sprouted potatoes, respectively. It was found that 70 to 75% of the population was females irrespective of the host plant. The fecundity was more when the mealybug was fed on Hibiscus than the other two hosts tested.