Biology of hippodamia variegata (Goeze) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), on aphis fabae scopoli (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Abstract

Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) is a among natural enemy of bean aphid so far identified in the world. In this study, the duration of hatching, larval instars and pupal stages of H. variegata feeding on black bean aphid, Aphis fabae Scopoli were investigated under laboratory conditions (25±1°C, 60±5% relative humidity and 16:8 (light:darkness) hours photoperiod. The mean pre-oviposition period of H. variegata was 6.20±0.13 days and the oviposition period was 43±0.21 days. The female beetles laid on an average 943.90±53.53 eggs and the hatching % was 82.86±3.12. The average incubation period was 3.35±0.11 days and the duration of total larval period from egg to adult was 16.5±0.13 days. The pre-pupal and pupal periods were 1.40±0.16 and 3.10±0.07 days, respectively. The mean longevity of the male and the female beetles were 50±3.2 and 55.5±3.37 days, respectively.