Hyperpredation of local adults ladybirds on the eggs of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri a potential predator of carmine cactus cochineal Dactylopius opuntiae in Morocco

Abstract

The mealybug destroyer Cryptolaemus montrouzieri has been introduced in many countries for biological control of mealybug species, recently the ladybeetle was tested on the biocontrol efficiency of Dactylopius opuntiae in many countries such as Brazil, Israel, and Morocco. Also, a total of thirteen species belonging to three orders and three families of local natural enemies associated to D. opuntiae were collected from Zemamra locality, and Gharbia locality in the Sidi Bennour region (120 km north-west of Marrakech), Morocco, and identified. A laboratory examination of C. montrouzieri eggs predation by eleven Morocco local generalist predators adults Hyperaspis campestris, Scymnus interruptus. Scymnus loewii, Nephus redtenbacheri, Scymnus latemaculatus, Scymnus guttulatus, Exochomus nigripennis, Coccinella septempunctata, Hippodamia convergens, Chilocorus bipustulatus, and Chilocorus politus showed that C. septempunctata had the highest predation on C. montrouzieri eggs (51 to 99% after 24 h) when provided with, or without, an alternative food supply (D. opuntiae first and second instars nymphs and Aphis fabae larvae). The addition of an alternative food source reduced egg predation by local polyphagous ladybeetles adults tested. These findings should be considered during biocontrol program on D. opuntiae and mass-rearing production.