Influence of prey consumption on life parameters and predatory potential of chrysoperla carnea against cotton mealy bug

Life parameters and predatory potential of chrysoperla carnea was evaluated using phenacoccus solenopsis as host in free choice feeding and no choice feeding trials. results on biological parameters revealed that 3rd instar cotton mealy bug triggered: minimum larval period in days; moderate larval survival; minimum pupal period in days; maximum pupal weight,maximum percentage emergence; highest fecundity; and,adult longevity of c.carnea. predatory potential showed that all the larval instars of c. carnea fed on the cotton mealy bug but the 3rd instar c. carnea proved to be more effective by consuming 9131.7,1933.3,1178.3 and 148.0,1st instar,2 nd instar,3rd instar and adult stage cotton mealy bugs,respectively. results depict that c. carnea can be used as an effective biological control agent for successful implementation of integrated pest management program for the mealy bug control. copyright 2013 zoological society of pakistan.