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<p><i>Paracoccus marginatus</i>&#xa0;(Williams and Granara de Willink), a tropical invasive pest, critically undermines agricultural productivity by inflicting substantial crop damage in economically vulnerable regions. Conventional management strategies, such as synthetic insecticides are often ineffective due to the pest’s waxy protective coating and they pose ecological and health risks. In this investigation, the life table and predation potential of the generalist predator, <i>Apertochrysa astur</i> Banks was evaluated against <i>P. marginatus</i> for the first time to explore its utility as a biological control agent. Life statistics and predation parameters were assessed under controlled conditions to determine the predator’s population fitness, feeding performance and suitability for integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. The study was conducted using the age-stage, two-sex life table analysis, allowing a comprehensive assessment of population dynamics by incorporating stage differentiation and both sexes. Under controlled laboratory conditions, the predator completed its pre-adult development in 35.08&#xa0;days when fed on second-instar <i>P. marginatus</i> nymphs. Female fecundity of 212.87 eggs per individual and an average life expectancy of 66.85 and 78.60&#xa0;days from the egg stage for males and females, respectively. The life table parameters indicated favourable population growth and reproductive potential, demonstrating that <i>A. astur</i> can efficiently utilize <i>P. marginatus</i> as a suitable prey for population development. Predation rates varied across larval stages, with each instar exhibiting significant consumption of mealybug nymphs. A population and predation projection model simulated over 90&#xa0;days demonstrated the predator’s substantial potential to reduce <i>P. marginatus</i> populations effectively. Its application in IPM strategies offers an environmentally sustainable approach to reducing crop losses and minimizing reliance on chemical pesticides, aligning with goals of sustainable agriculture.</p>

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Predation rate linked to life table of Apertochrysa astur Banks fed on invasive mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus (Williams and Granara de Willink) with estimates of its population and predation projections

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月22日

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  • Shashikala M,
  • B. V. Jayanth,
  • Gouranga Saw,
  • Shudeer Mate,
  • Gundreddy Rajareddy,
  • Edula Udaykumar,
  • Bishwajeet Paul

摘要

Paracoccus marginatus (Williams and Granara de Willink), a tropical invasive pest, critically undermines agricultural productivity by inflicting substantial crop damage in economically vulnerable regions. Conventional management strategies, such as synthetic insecticides are often ineffective due to the pest’s waxy protective coating and they pose ecological and health risks. In this investigation, the life table and predation potential of the generalist predator, Apertochrysa astur Banks was evaluated against P. marginatus for the first time to explore its utility as a biological control agent. Life statistics and predation parameters were assessed under controlled conditions to determine the predator’s population fitness, feeding performance and suitability for integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. The study was conducted using the age-stage, two-sex life table analysis, allowing a comprehensive assessment of population dynamics by incorporating stage differentiation and both sexes. Under controlled laboratory conditions, the predator completed its pre-adult development in 35.08 days when fed on second-instar P. marginatus nymphs. Female fecundity of 212.87 eggs per individual and an average life expectancy of 66.85 and 78.60 days from the egg stage for males and females, respectively. The life table parameters indicated favourable population growth and reproductive potential, demonstrating that A. astur can efficiently utilize P. marginatus as a suitable prey for population development. Predation rates varied across larval stages, with each instar exhibiting significant consumption of mealybug nymphs. A population and predation projection model simulated over 90 days demonstrated the predator’s substantial potential to reduce P. marginatus populations effectively. Its application in IPM strategies offers an environmentally sustainable approach to reducing crop losses and minimizing reliance on chemical pesticides, aligning with goals of sustainable agriculture.