Study of Diversity and Abundance Pattern of Natural Enemies Associated with the Mango Mealy Bug (Drosicha mangiferae G) at Malda of West Bengal, India

Background: As a pest, the mango mealy bug (Drosicha mangiferae G) is very important as it ranks second in terms of damage inflicted to the fruit crop. Natural enemies such as predators, parasitoids are considered to be significant deterrent of mango mealy bug. These natural enemies can act as biological control agent which can bring about pest suppression as an important tool of integrated pest management. Therefore, studies of natural enemy complex of mango mealy bug become pertinent. In the current study the available predators, parasitoids of mango mealy bug was surveyed at different regions of Malda. Methods: The predators of mango mealy bugs were studied by sampling mealy bug infested colonies present in the inflorescence and in 20 cm2 area of trunk. Sampling was carried out by visualization of predatory behavior of the entomophagous insects. Parasitoid was studied by observing the emergence of adults from infested mealy bugs in a closed container. Result: Ladybird beetles and Green lacewings were the most abundant predators; their relative abundance was 48.96% and 37.30%. Among the coccinellids, Rodalia amabilis and one unidentified coccinellid were found as dominant. The green lacewing larva, Chrysoparla sp. acted as important predator. Besides Ladybird beetles and Green lacewings, the spiders and bugs were also noticed in the predatory guild. Only one dipteran parasitoid species, Cryptochetum sp. nr. iceryae (Williston) was found to parasitize the mealy bugs. The standardization of mass rearing techniques for the three predators and one parasitoid and their release in the mealy bug infested orchards can bring about efficacious control of this menacing pest.