Abstract
A per capita model for the growth, development and reproduction of the coccinellid predatorRhizobius lophanthae (Blaisd) feeding on the oleander scale(Aspidiotus nerii Bouche (Homoptera: Diaspididae)) was developed. A thermal threshold for development of 9.4°C was found. Under conditions of unlimited food, the relationship of mass at time t + 1 to that at t (in days at 25°C) suggests an 8.7 percent growth rate per mg larvae per day at 25°C. An adult female beetle produces approximately 20 eggs per day while consuming an average of 8.5 scales/day. This is approximately 2.16 eggs per scale consumed above the maintenance level of 1.88 scales per day. More precisely, this compensation point is 0.12 mg of prey/mg of predator/day at 25°C and the egestion rate is 1 - β = 0.63
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