Study and Determination of the Most Important Biological Parameters of the Predator, Nephus includens Kirch and Comparison with Parameters of the Famous Introduced Predator, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant


Abstract in English

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 parameters (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).

References used

Ahmed, S. (1961). The Punjab Fruit Journal. The quarterly Official Organ of the West Pakistan Co-Operative Fruit Development Board LTD. Ayub Agricultural Research Institute Lyallpur (West Pakistan). Ph. D. (Florida) pp469
Al-Khateeb, N. and Raie, A. (2001). A study of some Biological Parameters of the Predator, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Mulsant) Introduced to Planococcus citri Risso in Syria, and estimate of its predation rate in the Laboratory. Arab. J. Pl. Prot. 19, 131-134
Bodenheimer, F. S. (1928). Contribution towards the knowledge of the citrus insects in Palestine. Preliminary report on the work of the Palestine breeding laboratory at Petahtikwa, 1924-27. Palestine Citrog, 1, 3-16

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