Life Cycle and Population Growth Parameters of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Col.: Coccinellidae) Reared on Planococcus citri (Risso) (Hem.: Pseudococcidae) on Coleus

Life cycle parameters were estimated for development, longevity, fecundity and oviposition period, of the mealybug predator, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Col.: Coccinellidae) fed on Planococcus citri (Risso) (Hem.: Pseudococcidae) reared on coleus plant, Solenostemon scutellarioides (L.) Codd.. All experiments were conducted in laboratory at temperature 27 plus or minus 1 degree C, 65 plus or minus 5% RH and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) hours. The incubation period, total larval period, pre-pupal and pupal period of C. montrouzieri were 3.945 plus or minus 0.047, 12.993 plus or minus 0.498, 2.432 plus or minus 0.071 and 7.791 plus or minus 0.103 days, respectively. The pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition period of C. montrozieri were 5.60 plus or minus 0.187, 70.375 plus or minus 2.920 and 2.875 plus or minus 0.360 days, respectively. Population growth parameters calculated from the data are: the intrinsic rate of increase (r sub(m)) = 0.092 plus or minus 0.002, the finite rate of increase ( lambda ), the net reproduction rate (R sub(0)), the mean generation time (T) and the doubling time (DT) of C. montrouzieri were, 1.097 plus or minus 0.002 d-1, 125.339 plus or minus 5.136 females / female, 52.356 plus or minus 1.306 days and 7.511 plus or minus 0.161 days, respectively.