Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) breeding on mango mites near Bangalore.
Ghorpade K. D., ChannaBasavanna G. P.
Author Affiliation: Department of Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Hebbal, Bangalore-560024, Karnataka, India.
Current Research 3 :42
Abstract : Menochilus sexmaculatus (F.), a polyphagous predator, has previously been observed feeding in the adult stage on mites in India [cf. RAE/A 62, 1012] but has not been recorded as completing its development on this type of prey. In August-September 1972, on mango trees heavily infested by Oligonychus mangiferus (Rahm. & Sapra) near Bangalore, adults, larvae and pupae of M. sexmaculatus were found, the mobile stages feeding mainly on the eggs and nymphs of the mite but also sometimes on the adults. Coccinellids transferred to the laboratory and offered only mites as food completed their life-cycle in 26-33 days, and the adults (although smaller than usual) laid fertile eggs. It is suggested that mites form an alternative prey for M. sexmaculatus during unfavourable conditions when aphids are scarce or absent.