BIOLOGY AND FEEDING POTENTIAL OF Cydonia vicinia isis Muls. (COLEOPTERA: COCCINELLIDAE) ON FOUR APHID SPECIES UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

: In a laboratory setting at 22 ±1ºC and 65 ±5%, the growth and reproduction of the aphid species Aphis craccivora Koch , Aphis gossypii Glover , Hyalopterus pruni Geoffroy , and Brevicoryne brassicae L. as prey for the predator Cydonia vicinia isis Muls. The findings revealed that the prey species had a significant influence on the growth and predation rate of C. vicinia isis Muls. immatures . A. craccivora had the shortest total larval duration (13.25 days), while H. pruni had the longest (17.48 days). During its larval stage, Cydonia vicinia isis devoured significantly more H. pruni (250.51) individuals than A . craccivora (188.91), B . brassicae (232.18), and A. gossypii (213.86). Meanwhile, adult females consumed significantly more H . pruni (4081.33) than B . brassicae , A . gossypii (3715.67, 3621.67), and A . craccivora (3715.67, 3621.67). (2891.23). When females of C. vicinia isis were reared on A. craccivora , they had the highest fecundity (696.00 eggs). In addition, females and males reared on H. pruni lived longer than those reared on the other three aphid species. The study could provide useful information for using C. vicinia isis in IPM programmes in broad bean, cabbage, citrus, and stone fruit trees.