What makes lady beetles effective natural enemies in preventative biological control?

Abstract

Based on the reconsideration of traditional criteria for assessing the efficacy of natural enemies, the screening of coccinellids for preventative control of aphids was conducted. The result suggests that there is no causation between the female size (weight) and the reproductive potential of the tested species. Considering that size does not matter in preventative releases, it is more cost-effective to produce small lady beetles. Essential and non-essential ecological knowledge for the efficacy assessment is discussed.