Effect of Plant Characteristics and Within-Plant Distribution of Prey on Colonization Efficiency ofCryptolaemus montrouzieri(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Adults

Abstract

Cryptolaemus montrouzieri(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) has been widely used in classical and inundative biological control of mealybugs, including the long-tailed mealybug,Pseudococcus longispinus(Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). This study was conducted to investigate colonization and establishment efficiency ofC. montrouzierito manageP. longispinuson three different ornamental plant species (Ficus elastica, Lilium longiflorum, andDieffenbachia seguine). Within-plant distribution pattern ofP. longispinusand the colonization ecology of adultC. montrouzieriwere investigated. Significantly moreP. longispinuswere found on the upper parts of the plants regardless of plant species, andC. montrouzieriadults discoveredP. longispinussignificantly faster when they were released on the top of the plants than on the bottom. Choice tests revealed thatC. montrouzieriadults preferred smallerP. longispinusnymphs. The implications for utilization ofC. montrouzierifor biological control of mealybugs on various ornamental plants are discussed.