First Taxonomic Note on Rodolia ruficollis Mulsant (Noviini: Coccinellidae) and its Predatory Role against Scale Insect Pest, Icerya aegyptiaca (Dgl.) from Sindh, Pakistan.

KARACHI (Pakistan); PAKISTAN; SINDH (Pakistan)

The coccinellid predator, Rodolia ruficollis Mulsant is treated taxonomically for the first time from Sindh Province of Pakistan. This may be a unique contribution to the genus Rodolia with the description of this species on the basis of important diagnostic characters including male and female genitalia. It is an important predator of scale insect pest, Icerya aegyptiaca (Douglas, 1890) which is dangerous insect pest upon different fruit trees including date palm, mango, mulberry and other important fruit trees in this region. This study also investigates the predatory role both adults and 4th instar larvae of this coccinellid predator in the biological control of I. aegyptiaca comparatively in the laboratory and under field conditions. The 4th instar larvae were found to be more voracious than adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]