Improving the mass rearing possibilities of Serangium montazerii Fürsch (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on different host plants of Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

The objectives of this study were to identify suitable plant species for mass rearing and to determine some biological characteristics of the predator Serangium montazerii Fürsch (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) used in the biological control of Dialeurodes citri (Ashmead) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). The development time, mortality rate, preoviposition, oviposition and postoviposition periods and fecundity of S. montazerii were studied on various host plants using Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Two cotton (Çukurova-1518 and Deltapine) and two eggplant (Pala and Çukurova topaǧi) cultivars were used at 25°C and 65 ± 5% RH in growth chambers. Additionally, life tables were constructed from the data obtained to compare the effects of different diets. The development time of S. montazerii was shortest on Çukurova-1518 (22.9 days) and longest on Çukurova topaǧi (28.0 days). The total mortality of the immature stages was lowest on Çukurova-1518 (20.8%) and highest on Pala (48.9%). The highest Ro and T levels were found on Deltapine 90. According to the results, cotton varieties constituted more suitable plant species for mass rearing due to the short development time, low mortality rate and high fecundity of S. montazerii.