EVALUATION OF AN IMPROVED METHOD FOR MASS CULTURING PAPAYA MEALYBUG (PARACOCCUS MARGINATUS WILLIAMS AND GRANARA DE WILLINK) AND ITS PARASITOID (ACEROPHAGUS PAPAYAE)

Author (s) : Dr.C.Marimuthu and Dr.M.Rajasekar

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Abstract :
The papaya mealy bug (Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granary de Will ink) is a notorious pest that inflicts substantial damage to papaya crops, resulting in significant economic losses to the agricultural industry. In this study was to evaluate an improved method for mass culturing the papaya mealy bug and its parasitic, Acerophagus papaya, as part of an integrated pest management strategy. Several key parameters were measured during the evaluation process, including the population growth rate, survival rates of papaya mealy bug nymphs, and the reproductive output of Acerophagus papaya. The results of the study demonstrated that the refined mass culturing method significantly increased the production and survival rates of papaya mealy bug nymphs, leading to a larger and healthier prey population for the parasitic Acerophagus papaya. Consequently, the enhanced availability of hosts positively impacted the reproductive potential of the parasitic, resulting in a higher yield of viable parasitic offspring.

Keywords : Paracoccus marginatus Williams, Granary de Will ink, pest management, parasitic.

Conference Date : 30/08/2019

Pages : 88

Paper ID : 19086