Production technique of Encarsia guadeloupae for the management of Rugose Spiralling Whitefly (Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin) on coconut

In the years 2020-23, a field experiment on Encarsia production technique for managing Rugose Spiraling Whitefly (Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin) in coconut palms was conducted at the AICRP (Palms), RCRS, Bhatye, Dist. Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, to evaluate the efficacy of Encarsia parasitoids in controlling the rugose spiraling whitefly (RSW) on coconut palms. The study employed a completely randomized block design with five treatments and four replications. Single palms of susceptible coconut varieties were selected for each treatment. Empty plastic bottles (1-liter capacity) were collected and modified by creating three holes (5x5 cm) in the middle region. These holes were covered with muslin cloth (30x20 cm) secured by rubber bands. The modified bottles were then hung on coconut fronds. Twenty healthy RSW nymphs were identified and placed in each designed plastic bottle cage. Field-collected Encarsia parasitized pupae of RSW were released into the cages, and the bottle mouths were plugged with cotton. The number of healthy and parasitized RSW nymphs on leaflets was recorded at 7, 10, and 15 days after treatment application. Encarsia parasitized pupae of RSW at a rate of 10 per palm resulted in the highest parasitism (62.08%). This treatment significantly outperformed T2 (Encarsia parasitized pupae of RSW at 5 per palm, 45.69%), T1 (Encarsia parasitized pupae of RSW at 3 per palm, 40.13%), and the control (T5, 7.36%). Encarsia parasitized pupae of RSW at 8 per palm achieved a parasitism rate of 54.86%, comparable to T4. The mass production technique of Encarsia guadeloupae under field conditions appears safe, eco-friendly, and effective for managing rugose spiralling whitefly in coconut palms. Key words: Coconut, Encarsia, Mass production, Rugose spiralling whitefly