Biology of Anagyrus kamali (Moursi) (Hymenoptera : Encyrtidae) - A Parasitoid of the Mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green, with a Note on Its Incidence

The occurrence of Anagyrus kamali, a solitary endoparasite of the mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus has been reported for the first time from India. The parasitoid was fecund to parasitizing the field population of mealybug to the tune of 10.37 to 42.70% in different months. A comprehensive study on the development of the parasitoid on different stages of mealybug indicated that the parasitoid was able to complete its development in all the stages. Higher parasitism (67.48-78.08%) and more female progeny were observed when 3rd instar nymphs and adult female of the mealybug were exposed to the parasitoid. The biology of A. kamali studied at 25${\pm}1^{\circ}C$ temperature and 60${\pm}$$\pm$1.12 days. The duration of egg, larva (3 instars) and pupa were 2.67${\pm}$${\pm}$${\pm}$${\pm}$