POPULATION DENSITY OF MEALYBUG, MACONELLICOCCUS HIRSUTUS (GREEN; ON BER (ZIZYPHUS MAURITIANA LAMARCK) AND ECONOMIC LOSSES

Studies were carried out to assess the population density of mealybug on ber and economic losses sustained. On an average there were 80.6 colonies per plant, each colony having 17.8 individuals. Similarly 15.4 egg masses covered with white waxy mealy matter were observed per plant, each egg mu. containing 90.7 orange coloured oval shaped eggs. Based on the market price of Infested and healthy frults, there was a net monetary loss of Rs. 25,800/ha accounting for 33.33 per cent loss due to mealybug infestation.