Biological study of the coccinellid predator, Stethorus punctillum under different constant temperatures

Reda F A Bakr ,Noha Genidy,N A Farag ,M A Gesraha ,Hoda Hassan Ali Elbehery

doi:10.21608/eajbsa.2009.15447

Abstract

The ladybeetle, Stethorus punctillum Wiese (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera), is one of the common predators for the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Koch.). When this predator was reared under different constant temperatures (15, 25 and 35°C), the duration of all stages decreased with increasing temperature. The optimum rearing temperature for this predator under laboratory conditions was found to be 25°C. When the predator feed on alternative food source we found that no oviposition was recorded on any alternative foods, therefore, no eggs were deposited. There were difference in adult S. punctillum longevity associated with different alternative food they feed, the longest period recorded was 12.70 days when the predator feed on a mixture of honey droplets, pollen grains and royal jelly. The shortest periods recorded was 3.75 days when the predator was starved or 3.90 days when feed on aphid.

Highlights

Several natural enemies of Tetranychus urticae were recorded all-over the world (Granham, 1985)
The stock culture of ladybeetle was started with adult that were collected from different plant leaves, especially the castor oil plant leaves, which were infested with the red spider mite, T. urticae
The predator S. punctillum was reared on potted bean plants infested with T. urticae, which was maintained in the rearing cages for 2-3 months before testing the predator efficiency

Summary

Introduction

Several natural enemies of Tetranychus urticae were recorded all-over the world (Granham, 1985). The ladybeetles of genus Stethorus (Stethorus punctillum, S. gilvifrons, S. punctum picipes) were the most effective natural enemies of the phytophagous mite species Tetranychus piercei McGregor, Panonychus citri McGregor, Panonychus ulmi (koch) and Tetranychus urticae Koch (Lui and Lui, 1986; Lorenzato, 1987; Wen, 1988; Pasualini and Antropoli, 1994; Cakmak and Aksit, 2003; Gencer et al, 2005; James et al, 2001 and Perez et al, 2004). Stethorus punctillum Weise is one of the most active coccinellid predators against the two-spotted spider mite. Their larval and adult stages feeding on the different stages of the two-spotted spider mites. The aim of the present work is to figure out the effects of different tested temperatures on some biological parameters of the predator, S. punctillum in order to mass rearing and release under greenhouse and open-field conditions

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion