Abstract. Qualitative and quantitative differences in prey are known to affect the life histories of predators. A laboratory study was used to evaluate the suitability of three aphid prey, Aphis gossypii, Aphis craccivora and Lipaphis erysimi, for the ladybird beetle, Anegleis cardoni (Weise). Development was fastest on A. gossypii followed by A. craccivora and L. erysimi. Percentage pupation, immature survival, adult weight and the growth index were all highest when reared on A. gossypii and lowest on L. erysimi. Similarly, oviposition period, lifetime fecundity and egg viability were all highest on a diet of A. gossypii, lowest on L. erysimi and intermediate on A. craccivora. Age-specific fecundity functions were parabolic. Adult longevity, reproductive rate and intrinsic rate of increase were all highest on A. gossypii and lowest on L. erysimi. Life table parameters reflected the good performance on A. gossypii and poor performance on L. erysimi. Estimates of individual fitness values for the adults reared on A. gossypii and A. craccivora were similar and higher than that of adults reared on L. erysimi. Thus, the three species of aphid can all be considered essential prey for A. cardoni.

Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the functional and numerical responses of fourth instar larvae, adult male, and adult female ladybird beetles, Anegleis cardoni Weise (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), to different densities of aphids, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), on the bottle gourd, Lagenaria vulgaris Seringe (Cucurbitales: Cucurbitaceae). The results revealed a density dependent, Type II functional response of A. cardoni. Prey consumption increased curvilinearly with an increase in prey density for all three predatory stages. Numerical responses revealed significant increases in oviposition with increases in prey density. The food exploitation efficiency and the efficiency of conversion of ingested food decreased with increases in prey density. The attack rate was highest for adult females, followed by fourth instar larvae and adult males. Prey consumption was highest and handling time lowest in fourth instar larvae, followed by adult females and males. Therefore, fourth instar larvae of A. cardoni may be considered the most efficient predatory stage in aphid management strategies.

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Background: Candida spp is a member of the normal flora of the skin, mucous membrane and gastrointestinal tract. They are endogenous opportunists which cause secondary infection in individuals with underlying immunocompromised conditions. Candidiasis is a common fungal disease in humans. An increase in the prevalence of non-albicans species has been noted during the last decades because of increasing use of azoles. This study aims to Spectate Candida using chromogenic medium.Methods: A total of 50 Candida isolates from various clinical samples were included in the study. These isolates were subjected to gram's stain, germ tube test and inoculation on commercially available CHROM agar (HiMedia India).Results: In current study majority of isolates were from high vaginal swab (34%) followed by sputum (28%), urine (18%), pus from surgical sites and others constituted to 20%. Candida albicans (51%) was the most common candida species, followed by C. tropicalis (25%), C. krusei (16%), C. glabrata (6%) and C. dubliniensis (1%).Conclusions: Along with Candida albicans, non-albicans candida spp like C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. glabrata, and C. dubliniensis are increasingly being isolated from clinical samples. CHROM agar is a simple, rapid and inexpensive method for identification of such species. Characterization to species level helps to identify species which might be intrinsically resistant to commonly used antifungal agents.

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