Occurrence of Phenococcus solenopsis (Tinsley) in vegetable ecosystem and host-mediated effects on its dominant parasitoid, Aenasius bambawalei Hayat

Abstract

Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley was recorded as dominant mealy bug species in the vegetable ecosystem infesting several vegetables namely tomato, brinjal, Capsicum, okra and pointed gourd at IIVR experimental farm during 2011 to 2013. Its incidence was observed almost throughout the year on one or the other vegetable crops available in the region except during peak summer months of May and June. This mealy bug was observed to infest tomato during January to April; brinjal during March – April; pointed gourd during July- August and okra during July to October. From October to December, its incidence was documented on Capsicum grown mainly under poly- and net-house conditions. During peak summer (May-June), the incidence of P. solenopsis was restricted to weeds particularly Parthenium hysterophorus. Among different hosts, the highest cumulative recovery of parasitoid (Aenasius bambawalei Hayat, Encyrtidae: Hymenoptera) was obtained from tomato (35.67%) followed by okra (30.45%), whereas, the lowest recovery was from pointed gourd (13.33%) indicating tritrophic interactions among the vegetable host plant, mealy bug and its parasitoid