Rearing of predatory seven spotted ladybird beetle coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on natural and artificial diets under laboratory conditions

Seven-spotted ladybird beetle coccinella septempunctata l.,a natural enemy of aphids,had been reared on natural and alternative artificial foods. both larvae and adults of c. septempunctata fed on aphid and artificial diet,the predator normally completed its development from egg to adulthood in 20.6 days on aphid prey,in contrast to 29.0 days,when fed on artificial diet. these results indicated that artificial diet containing important ingredients for adults and larvae of c. septempunctata can serve as substitute food for the coccinellids,and reproduction nevertheless can occur in the absence of preferred aphid prey. the present findings can best be utilized for effective mass production of coccinellids species intended for biological control of insect pests. copyright 2010 zoological society of pakistan.