Life table attributes of Clitostethus arcuatus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) feeding on Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Siphoninus phillyreae (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

The ladybird beetle Clitostethus arcuatus Rossi (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is one of the most effective predators of the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood, and the ash whitefly, Siphoninus phillyreae Haliday (Hem: Aleyrodidae). Two stock cultures of C. arcuatus were established under controlled conditions (25 ± 2 °C, 65 ± 5%RH and L–D:16–8), one using T. vaporariorum and one using S. phillyreae as prey. Newly laid C. arcuatus eggs from each culture were evaluated for immature survival. Thirty pairs of C. arcuatus (24 h-old) were selected for studying the reproductive life history of C. arcuatus on the two hosts. Results showed that the period between oviposition and hatch did not show significant difference on different prey. Duration of different instars stages of C. arcuatus differed significantly, except second instars, which was 4 days for both diets. Pupal period differed significantly between the two prey types. Egg hatch was 95% and 91.7% for adults fed on T. vaporariorum and S. phillyreae, respectively. There was a significant difference among some treatments for gross fecundity rate and net reproductive rate (R0), indicating that prey had a significant impact on the biological activities of C. arcuatus. The intrinsic rate (rm) and finite rate of increase (λ) were 0.063 and 0.078, respectively, for T. vaporariorum, and 1.0026 and, 1.08, respectively, for S. phillyreae.

Developmental Periods (Days) for each of immature stages of C. arcuatus by feeding on GHWF and Ash whitefly as prey.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Duration of larvae and pupal period showed significant differences despite 2th larval instars.
► Egg hatch was 95% and 91.7% for adults fed on GHWF and S. Phillyreae.
► Mean number of fertile eggs/female reared on GHWF was less than for females reared on ash whitefly.
► (rm) and (λ) on GHWF and S.phillyreae were 0.063, 0.078 and 1.0026, 1.08.