Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant and the local predator, Nephus includens
Kirch were reared on the Planococcus citri Risso in Lattakia Insectary for Rearing
Natural Enemies. A comparative study was done applying the most important
biological para
meters (Predation rate, life cycle, longevity, starvation tolerance,
fecundity, sex ratio, adult emergence) for both predators under laboratory
conditions.
Research results proved the overpass of that predation rate of C. montro- uzieri
males and females, was greater than that of males and females of N. includens, by
three folds with significant differences. Similarly the perdition rate of the third
instar, in first predator over passed three times the rate of the second predator,
with significant differences reaching 10.53± 2.41, 30.87±3.76 nymphs (second
nymphal instars)/day. The results proved a significant rise of fecundity index in
females of C. monrtouzieri over that of predator, N. includens by 1.8 times
(50.70±13.63, and 107.3±14.87, respectively), while both predators were equal in
values of other biological parameters with no significant differences (biological
development stages, longevity of males and females, adults emergence and sex
ratio).