BIOLOGICAL SUPPRESSION OF ORIENTAL MEALYBUG, ~ Planococcus lilacinus (Ckll.) ON BER

Mealybugs have posed a severe threat to  ber (Zizyphus mauriliana L.) cultivation in  India in recent years. Severe infestation of  mealybugs and subsequent development of  sooty mold affect the growth and fruit bearing  capacity of ber trees and the quality of fruits  (Butani, 1973; Tandon and Verghese, l987;  Mani, 1993). The infestation of the oriental  mealybug, Planococcus Iilacinus (Ckll.)  (Pseudococcidae, Homoptera) was noticed on  the shoots of four year old ber cv Umran at  Indian Institute of Horticultural Research  farm, Hessaraghatta, Bangalore in December,  1994 to the tune of 30%. The effectiveness  ofthe local natural enemy in the suppression  of P. lilacinus was assessed and the results  are reported here.  The lycaenid, Spalgis epius Westwood  was the only natural enemy observed attacking  the mealybug in the ber orchard. Observations  were recorded on the population of the  mealybug and lycaenid predatory larvae on  four shoots (each 30 cm long) per tree at 15  days interval, and from the data mean and  standard deviations were calculated.