Chilocorus subindicus explained

Chilocorus subindicus, is a species of lady beetle found in India, Sri Lanka and Maldives.^{[1] [2]}

Description

Very similar to Chilocorus nigritus in morphology. Body length is about 2.7 to 3.8 mm. Body outline is subcircular. Elytra pitchy to almost black. Pronotum pitchy on the disc, but gradually turned to pale yellowish-brown laterally. Head and ventrum yellowish-brown. Head clothed with fine pubescence. Frons moderately punctured, and the interstices are weakly convex. Pronotum and elytra punctured and sculptured. In male genitalia, the median lobe is broadest about middle which gets narrowing basally and apically. Apex broadly rounded ventrally and turned dorsal laterally. Parameres are weakly constricted basally.^[3]

Biology

The beetle is known to feed on aphids and scales such as Aspidiotus destructor, Parasaissetia nigra, and Saissetia,^[4] as well as two whitefly species, Aleurocanthus arecae, and Aleurodicus dispersus.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Chilocorus subindicus Booth . 2021-09-12 . keys.lucidcentral.org.
2. Poorani . J. . 2002-01-01 . An annotated checklist of the Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) (excluding Epilachninae) of the Indian Subregion . 2021-09-12 . Oriental Insects . 36 . 307–383 . 10.1080/00305316.2002.10417335. 86769172 .
3. Booth . R. G. . September 1998 . A review of the species resembling Chilocorus nigrita (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae): potential agents for biological control . 2021-09-12 . Bulletin of Entomological Research . 88 . 4 . 361–367 . en . 10.1017/S0007485300042115.
4. Omkar . Pervez . A. . 2003-06-01 . Ecology and Biocontrol Potential of a Scale-Predator, Chilocorus nigritus . 2021-09-12 . Biocontrol Science and Technology . 13 . 4 . 379–390 . 10.1080/0958315031000104505. 85645304 .
5. Web site: Biological methods of pest management in coconut . 2021-09-12 . Improving productivity and profitability in coconut farming.