The influence of temperature and food supply on the development of Adalia bipunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

The development of Adalia bipunctata larvae feeding on the grain aphid Sitobion avenae was investigated at 15, 20 and 25degreesC and two different levels of food supply. Increased temperatures accelerated development and reduced mortality rates. A reduced food supply slowed down development and increased mortality at all life stages. The total food intake of larvae ranged from 24-65 mg, which is equivalent to up to 190 aphids. Larvae compensated for low food supply by reducing development rates, high prey exploitation efficiencies, reaching up to 100%, and by high prey-biomass conversion efficiencies, reaching over 40%. The findings are discussed under the aspect of suitability of A. bipunctata as a biological control agent for greenhouse-specific aphid pest species.