Olfactory Responses of Mealybug Predator, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera:Coccinellidae) to the Kairomones of Prey Arthropods, their Host Plants and the Predator Itself

The studies made under laboratory conditions using olfactometer indicated that the larvae as well as adults of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant could sense the prey liberated chemicals and use them in reaching the source. The first instar larvae and adults were attracted to the kairomones of Planococcus citri (Risso) in significantly more numbers than to the kairomones of other preys and non-preys namely Pulvinaria regalis Canard, Mamestra brassicae (Linnaeus), Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), Aphis fabae Scopoli and Myzus persicae (Sulzer). The predator did not respond to the kairomones of preys' hosts significantly but the presence of prey on the host plants enhanced the olfaction as indicated by the more number of predators attracted to them. Furthermore, the adults were lured to the odour of their own individuals in significant numbers but not the larvae.