Impact of Ecological Conditions on Biology of Cotton Mealy Bug, Phenacoccus solenopsis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Laboratory

Effect of temperature and relative humidity on the life history of the cotton mealy bug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) was investigated in the laboratory. P. solenopsis was able to complete its life cycle at 20, 25, 30 and 35 +/- 1 degrees C and 70, 65, 60 and 40 +/- 5% RH, respectively. Egg hatching period decreased from 32 +/- 0.22 to 0.57 +/- 0.15 hours from 20 to 40 degrees C. But at 40 degrees C, the male specimens were unable to pupate and the female specimens despite comparatively very short life span were unable to produce eggs. The highest fecundity was observed at 20 degrees C with each female producing an average of 232.65 +/- 2.19 eggs. Development time from egg to adult was the longest for male at 20 degrees C. Increasing temperature and decreasing relative humidity had profound effect on the longevity of the females whereas longevity of males was less affected. Ability of the P. solenopsis to develop and reproduce successfully at 20 to 35 +/- 1 degrees C and 70 to 40 +/- 5% RH suggests that the pest can develop and build up its populations in different ecological zones within this temperature range.