Host-parasitoid relationship between the parasitoid, Anagyrus kamali Mourse (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and the pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green), (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae)

The encyrtid parasitoid, Anagyrus kamali Mourse (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) females parasitizes all stages of the pink hibiscus mealybug (PHM), Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green), (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae). Mean number of hosts parasitized, total number of eggs laid and average number of deposited eggs/adult female and third nymphal instar of PHM differed significantly than all other stages. Thus, A. kamali prefers older ilymphal instars and seemed to be more efficient On adult females. Duration periods and number of the emerged parasitoids from the 1(st) and 2(nd) nymphal instars were more than that from 3(rd) nymphal instar and adult females. Developmental periods of 3(rd) nymphal instar and adult females were 8.1 days faster than that of 1(st) and 2(nd) nymphal instars. Time spent for oviposition significantly decreased with increasing host a-e. In contrast was the time spent for preening. Also, the results strongly suggest that the A. kamali has perfect discrimination capabilities. Studied females showed a reproductive period of 11.9 +/- 1.46 days. The mean total number of eggs was 98.4 +/- 8.64 eggs/female. Daily number of eggs/female laid was 8.5 +/- 0.41 cups. Longevity of unmated females was generally longer than that of the mated females.