Chilocorus subindicus Booth

 

 

 

Nomenclature

 

 

Chilocorus subindicus Booth, 1998: 365.

 

Diagnosis

 

 

Length 2.7-3.8 mm, width 2.4-3.4 mm. A sibling species of C. nigrita, which cannot be reliably differentiated by any external morphological characters. Form  subcircular, more or less identical to C. nigrita in external appearance and coloration, but slightly more convex and smaller in size, with the sides more steeply descending than C. nigrita. Male genitalia diagnostic, especially apex of median lobe broadly rounded in ventral view (not pointed as in C. nigrita) and turned inwards in lateral view (turned outwards in C. nigrita).  

 

Distribution

 

 

India: Southern parts of mainland India and the 

islands just to the south (Booth, 1998) (Lakshadweep Islands [Kadmat, Kavaratti, and Minicoy]; Maharashtra; Tamil Nadu). Sri Lanka. Maldives.

Prey/associated habitat

 

 

HOMOPTERA: Coccoidea: Aspidiotus destructor Signoret, Parasaissetia nigra (Nietner), and ?Saissetia sp. Collected in association with scales infesting coconut, brinjal, bamboo, banana, and Morinda tinctoria.

Seasonal occurrence

 

 

Collected during March-May (Lakshadweep Islands).

Related species

 

 

Though this species is very similar to C. nigrita and occurs together with the latter in part of its distribution range, it does not appear to have been used successfully in any deliberate biological control introductions (Booth, 1998). 

Reference