A Study of Ovipositional Behaviour of Anagyrus pseudococci a Parasitoid of Mealybugs

The ovipositiomil behaviour and success of encyrtid endoparasitoid of mealybugs, affinis oviposition starting from the searching for the host to the post-oviposition activitieswere described. Once encountered, the mealybug host was examined and probed by theovipositor of the parasitoid. Oviposition success was influenced by the defence activityof the host. parasitism than important role in increasing the efficacy of subsequent oviposition.Anagyrus pseudococci (Girault), anPlanococcus citri (Risso) and Pseudococcus(Mask.) were studied in the laboratory. Behavioural sequences duringP. citri was less able to defend itself and was more susceptible toP. affinis. Oviposition experience of the parasitoid played an