Development, life history characteristics and behaviour of mealybug predator, Spalgis epius (Westwood) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) on Planococcus citri (Risso) (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae)

The development of immature stages, life history and behaviour of mealybug predator, Spalgis epius (Westwood) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) reared on mealybugs, Planococcus citri (Risso) (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) was studied in the laboratory. Larvae of S. epius are a potential predator of different species of mealybugs in India. The predator completed its life cycle in 23. 8 days with four larval instars. Mean incubation period of egg was 3. 9 days. Mean duration of development of larval stages, prepupa and pupa was 9. 4, 0. 9 and 9. 5 days, respectively. The first and last instar larvae measured 1. 9 and 11. 4 mm in length, respectively. Length and width were not significantly correlated in larvae. Head capsule width was not significantly correlated with larval length in any instar. The female-to-male sex ratio was 1. 45:1. Adults were ready for mating one day after eclosion. The pairs remained in copula on an average of 61. 3 min. The gravid female contained 74. 6 eggs in the ovaries. Unfed butterflies (both males and females) lived 3-4 days, significantly shorter than those with access to water (6-7 days). The results of this study will be useful to utilize the predator as a biocontrol agent. © 2010 Springer-Verlag