Biology and Feeding Potential of the Predator, Hippodamia convergens Guér., on Four Aphid Species Under Laboratory Conditions

Saleh, A.A.A., H.S. El-Tahawe, H. El-Nagar and A.S. Jabbar. 2023. Biology and Feeding Potential of the Predator, Hippodamia convergens Guér., on Four Aphid Species Under Laboratory Conditions. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 41(1): 48-53. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-41.1.048053 Suitability of the aphid species Brevicoryne brassicae L., Aphis craccivora Koch, Hyalopterus pruni Geoffroy and Aphis illinoisensis Shimer as preys for the predator Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) development and reproduction was evaluated under laboratory conditions of 20±2ºC temperature and 70±5% relative humidity. Results obtained revealed that the prey species had significant effect on the development and predation rate of H. convergens immatures. The shortest total larval developmental period (12.82 days) was observed for the beetle fed on A. craccivora, whereas the longest (16.32 days) was recorded for the beetle fed on H. pruni. H. convergens consumed significantly more individuals of H. pruni (278.34) during its larval period than A. craccivora (186.76), B. brassicae (227.87) and A. illinoisensis. (211.94). The lowest immature stages mortality rate was recorded when they were fed on A. craccivora (6.47%), followed by those fed on A. illinoisensis (8.05%), B. brassicae (9.65%) and H. pruni (13.6%). Meanwhile, adult females consumed significantly more individuals of H. pruni (4937.40) than B. brassicae, A. illinoisensis (3693.92, 3432.15) and A. craccivora (2953.5). Highest fecundity (564.00 eggs) was recorded when females of H. convergens were fed on A. craccivora. In addition, beetle adult females and males that fed on H. pruni had significantly longer life span than those fed on the other three aphid species. The investigation provides useful information for the utilization of the H. convergens predator in IPM programs to protect faba bean, cabbage, grapevine and stone fruit trees from aphids as well as other sap sucking pests. Keywords: Hippodamia convergens, Brevicoryne brassicae, Aphis craccivora, Hyalopterus pruni, Aphis illinoisensis, biology, reproduction, feeding capacity.