Biology & Host Stage Preference of A. bambawalei On P. solenopsis

Bioagents from diverse groups have been recorded against Phenacoccus solenopsis mealybug across India. Among them, solitary endoparasitoid Aenasius bambawalei Hayat (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) plays a significant role in controlling this mealybugs infesting cotton, okra, potato and ornamental china rose etc. and other crops in India. In agro-ecosystem, parasitoids come in contact with hosts, which develop after feeding on different plant genotypes. During feeding, parasitoids or hosts get different phytochemicals, which may affect different biological parameters of both pest and their parasitoids. Indeed, the influence of different plant species is not limited to the second trophic level; rather it extends to the tritrophic level via prey or host insect species. Keeping this in view, the present research was undertaken to investigate biology and host stage preference of Aenasius bambawalei Hayat on Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley reared on different host plants.