Food consumption of the coccinellid predator,Stethorus punctllum reared on the tow-spotted mite Tetranychus urticae under different constant temperatures.

Abstract

Food consumption of the predator, Stethorus punctillum Wiese reared on immature and mature stages of the prey, Tetranychus urticae (Koch) was studied under laboratory conditions at three different constant temperatures (15, 25 and 35ºC). The larval instars consumed more immature prey individuals at 15ºC, followed by 35 ºC then 25ºC. Adult males of the predator consumed more individuals of immature preys at 35ºC, followed by 25 ºC then at 15ºC, while the predator females relatively consumed more prey individuals than the males, at the same temperatures. When the larvae of the predator reared on mature stages of the prey, they consumed more prey individuals at 15ºC, followed by 25ºC then at 35ºC. The adult males and females of the predator consumed almost the same numbers of the prey individuals. They consumed the highest number of preys at 35ºC, followed by 25ºC, while the lowest consumed number was recorded at 15ºC.