Life table of Delphastus catalinae (Horn) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on cotton whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) as preyBiologische Eigenschaften von Delphastus catalinae (Horn) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) als Prädator der Weißen Fliege Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

Developmental time, longevity and fecundity of Delphastus catalinae (Horn), a predator of Bemisia tabaci (Genn.), were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Developmental time from egg to adult was 22.3, 15.57 and 18.41 days at 25, 30†C and at fluctuating temperatures of 25/35†C (12/12 h), respectively. It was also found that temperatures above 35†C were lethal, since all eggs were killed. The female adult’s longevity and reproduction differed with temperatures. Mean adult longevities were 105.25, 40.2 and 42.1 days, and total fecundities were 213.72, 118.94, and 117.93 eggs/Q at 25, 30†C and at fluctuating temperatures of 25/35†C, respectively. Additionally, life tables were constructed from data obtained to compare the effects of different temperatures. The highest reproductive rate was 88.93 at 25†C. In contrast, at 30†C the highest intrinsic rate of increase and the shortest generation time were 0.127 and 28.14 days, respectively. The results indicate that the optimum temperature for mass rearing of D. catalinae ranges from 25†C to 30†C.