Emperature Effects on Predation by Cryptolaemus montrouzieri

The present investigation on ＂ Biology and predatory potential of Australianladybird beetle Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant on mealybugs at differenttemperature level＂ were carried out at laboratory experiment, Department ofEntomology, College of Agriculture, VNMKV Parbhani during 2024-25.The study on biology of C. montrouzieri on third instar nymphs of mealybugs, i.e. Paracoccus marginatus and Ferrisia virgata under laboratory conditionsrevealed that mean incubation, larval, pupal and total development period of C.montrouzieri, when reared on P. marginatus (2.58, 11.94, 4.56 and 20.9, respectively)was shorter than those reared on F. virgata (4.09, 15.17, 5.83 and 27.92, respectively).An average of 89.00, 75.00 and 75.33 per cent egg hatched, larvae pupated and adultemergence were recorded on P. marginatus whereas, 82.00, 71.00 and 60.00 per centon F. virgata, respectively. The growth index and fecundity of C. montrouzieri wassignificantly higher on P. marginatus (6.28 and 320.10 eggs/female) than on F.virgata (4.68 and 216.20 eggs/female). Average adult longevity was found to be 42.17and 48.57 days in male and female beetles of C. montrouzieri on P. marginatus.