ABSTRACT
274The family Coccinellidae is a very important predatory family under the order coleoptera. In this chapter we discuss various aspects related to the predatory coccinellids like examples of classical biological control using Rodolia cardinalis against Icerya purchase, Diomus hennesseyi and Hyper- aspis notata against Phenacoccus manihoti, Hippodamia convergens against Schizaphis graminum, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri against Mealy Bugs, Cryptognatha nodiceps against Aspidiotus destructor, Rhyzobius lophanthae against Diaspidinae scales, Chilocorus bipustulatus against armored scale insects, Chilocorus nigritus against variety of armored scales, Chilocorus circumdatus against Citrus Snow Scale, Aphidecta obliterate against balsam woolly adelgid, Sasajiscymnus tsugae against Adelges tsugae. We also have tried to discuss the techniques of conservation of coccinellid predators in different crop ecosystems and predominant coccinellid predators in different crop ecosystems like rice, wheat, maize, mustard, tea, and horticultural ecosystems in Indian context. Augmentation of coccinellid predators in crop ecosystems has also been discussed in this chapter keeping in view the limitations of using coccinellid predators.
