Studies on parasitoid complex of mealybug infesting grapes in Maharashtra

Abstract: Survey was conducted to investigate the parasitoid complex of mealybug infesting grapes in the vineyards during 2012 to 2013. The parasitized mummies of mealybugs were collected and held in the test tubes until the parasitoid emerged out. The emerged parasitoids were identified and preserved. Three encyrtid parasitoids viz., Coccidoxenoides perminutus Girault, Anagyrus dactylopii Howard, Leptomastix dactylopii Howard were found to effect parasitization of the mealybugs. A. dactylopii was found specific to pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus. L. dacylopii and C. perminutus were found parasitizing Planococcus citri. Percent parasitization of mealybug by C. perminutus, A. dactylopii andL. dactylopii was 56.25, 72.72 and 81.81 per cent, respectively during the peak incidence of mealybugs. Mean population of C. perminutus A. dactylopii and L. dactylopii were 6.3, 5.4 and 5.9 individuals per vine.