Evaluating two predatory coccinellids, Rhyzobius lophanthae and Cryptolaemus montrouzieri as biological control agents of Aulacaspis yasumatsui (Hemiptera: Diaspididae)

Two coccinellids Rhyzobius lophanthae (Blaisdell) and Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) were evaluated as augmentative biological control agents of Aulacaspis yasumatsui Takagi (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), a severe pest on Cycas revoluta Thunberg in Florida. The life history and consumption rate of both species of lady beetles reared in controlled lab setting were quantitatively evaluated when feeding on diets of male and female or only female A. yasumatsui at 18°C and 24°C. Only R. lophanthae was able to complete development when fed only female scales. On a diet of male and female scales both species of lady beetles completed development, with C. montrouzieri having a significantly longer period of larval development. The impact of varying cohort size of R. lophanthae released on caged C. revoluta plants that had been infested with A. yasumatsui and the time frame in which control can be seen, was examined through a greenhouse study.