Biology of Menochilus sexmaculatus Fab. and Cocci nel la undecimpunctata L (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera) on Alfalfa Aphid Therioaphis trifolii Monell

Effect of Temperature on Demography and Predation Rate of Menochilus sexmaculatus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Reared on Phenacoccus solenopsis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

“…Maximum life time fecundity was the highest (674) at 24 ± 0.5 °C followed by that (401) at 27 ± 0.5 °C and the lowest (315) at ambient condition. Our studies are in agreement with the findings of Mari et al 2004) who reported shorter life span of M. sexmaculatus males than females, on alfalfa aphids (Therioaphis trifolii Monell). The survival rate and total fecundity of M. sexmaculatus was better at 24 ± 0.5 °C and 27 ± 0.5 °C as compared to ambient condition (32 ± 4 °C), which reflected negative effect of high (>28°C) temperature on the performance of M. sexmaculatus.…”

“…Moulting and survival of each larval stage from 1 st to 4 th instar were carefully recorded daily. The adults were paired on the basis of their body size (female larger than male) and transferred to petri-dishes in order to observe their mating behaviour (Mari et al, 2004). Survival, adult longevity and fecundity of each female beetle were recorded daily until their death.…”

“…Life table studies of a predator at varying temperatures can provide detailed information about survivorship, development, mortality and life expectancy Rizvi, 2007, 2008). Most of the previous studies on M. sexmaculatus were focused on exploring its predatory potential against different aphid species (Mari et al, 2004;Ali and Rizvi, 2009;Saleem et al, 2014) and cotton mealy bug (Arif et al, 2011(Arif et al, , 2012Ali et al, 2013). An insect with better population growth rate in a particular condition does not necessarily mean an efficient predator (Yu et al, 2013).Therefore, predation rate must be considered along with population growth potential in life table under different temperature regimes to assess the efficacy of a particular predator (Chi et al, 2011).…”

Comparison of Feeding Ability between Ischiodon scutellaris (Diptera: Syrphidae) and Menochilus sexmaculatus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on Aphis craccivora (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

“…Menochilus sexmaculatus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a common aphidophagous beetle which has a wide range of preys (Rajamohan & Jayaraj, 1973;Mari et al, 2004;Rana, 2006). This species also has a wide distribution area, so its ability to prey upon different species of prey has been received much attention.…”