| Summary: | <i>Cryptolaemus montrouzieri</i> (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is an important predator of the mealybug <i>Dysmicoccus neobrevipes</i> (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), a major pest of <i>Agave sisalana</i> in China. Limited reports on the efficacy of <i>C. montrouzieri</i> against <i>D. neobrevipes</i> are available. This study reports the predatory efficacy and functional response of <i>C. montrouzieri</i> against <i>D. neobrevipes</i> under laboratory conditions. The prey consumption rate per day of 4th instar larvae of <i>C. montrouzieri</i> feeding on 1st instar <i>D. neobrevipes</i> nymphs (241.3 mealybugs) was the highest among the different larval life stages of the beetle. For <i>C. montrouzieri</i>, the prey consumption per day of adult females (19.8 mealybugs) was significantly higher compared to males (15.2 mealybugs) when feeding on 3rd instar <i>D. neobrevipes</i> nymphs. The functional responses of <i>C. montrouzieri</i> on 1st and 2nd instar <i>D. neobrevipes</i> nymphs were determined as Holling type II. The search rates of <i>C. montrouzieri</i> 4th instar larvae towards the 1st and 2nd instar nymphs of <i>D. neobrevipes</i> were higher than those of the other beetle life stages. In addition, the handling times of 4th instar larvae were shorter than those of the other beetle life stages. The results from this study indicate that <i>C. montrouzieri</i> can be used as a predator of <i>D. neobrevipes</i> and, therefore, it should be evaluated further for use as a biocontrol agent in <i>D. neobrevipes</i> management programs.
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