diets among these three is pistachio psylla for both species. However, using moth
eggs could be useful specifically for rearing premature life stages therefore, reducing
costs and labor needed (Mirhosseini et al. 2015). Furthermore, the age-stage,
two-sex life table of this species on green peach aphid and pistachio psylla showed
no difference between these two prey species in terms of suitability for reproduction
and growth of O. conglobata contaminata (Mokhtari and Samih 2016).
Regarding aphidophagous or cocidophagous lady beetles, the life table and
descriptive biological parameters of Acarophagous lady beetle have been studied
scarcely. Eslami Zadeh and Pourmirza (1998) reviewed the fecundity and predation
rate of Stethorus punctillum on red spider mite. Preadult duration and daily fecundity
of S. gilvifrons on the old world date mite, Oligonychus afrasiaticus (McGregor) was
reported as 18 days and five eggs at 27
C, respectively. The survey of basic biology
and predation rate of S. gilvifrons on two-spotted spider mite showed this predator
kills 212.34 mites during its premature development averagely. The suitability of
two Tetranychid mite species, Tetranychus turkestani Ugarov and Nycolsky and
Eutetranychus orientalis Klein for development and reproduction of S. gilvifrons
revealed that both species could be used as essential and complete prey. Although,
the citrus brown mite seems more suitable than T. turkestani slightly (Imani et al.
2009)
Similar to aphidophagous lady beetles, Coccidophagous species have been studied fairly detailed. Mehdian et al. (1998) considered the rearing of Chilocorus
bipustulatus L. on Dictyospermum scale, black scale, the Mediterranean flour
moth eggs and the Angoumois grain moth eggs (Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier
1789)). Among them, C. bipustulatus did not complete its life cycle on S. cerealella.
Although, lack of significant differences between daily fecundity and preadult
development period of lady beetles reared on natural and factitious prey proved
that the E. kuehniella eggs could be used as alternative prey for mass rearing this
species. However, Mehrnejad (2000b) showed significant differences in pupal
mortality of Exochomus nigripennis reared on S. cerealella eggs and citrus mealybugs, Pseudococcus citri. The natural prey made them significantly larger and
heavier than those reared on angoumois grain moth eggs. Similarly, Emmai et al.
(2002) showed the inadequacy of Ephestia and Sitotroga eggs compare to green
citrus aphid or Spirea aphid for reproduction and development of S. syriacus.
Ghanadamooz et al. (2010) reported the suitability of mulberry scale,
Pseudaulacapis pentagona Targioni cultivated on pumpkin and potato for rearing
of C. bipustulatus. Lotalizadeh et al. (2000) studied E. quadripustulatus (L.) biology
on cypress tree mealybug and reported total developmental time on Planococcus
vovae (Nasanov) was 34.47 days.
Perhaps the mealybug destroyer, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant, 1850 is
the most known and efficient Coccidophagous lady beetle in Iran. Therefore, the
laboratory biology, life table parameters and consumption rate of C. montrouzieri
Mulsant, 1850 have been studied extensively on different prey species or at various
circumstances (Table 2.2). It has been revealed that this species is one of the main
predators of coccids and feeds on Pulvinaria ovisacs, especially on citrus trees. In a
choice test, the fourth instar larvae prefer cottony camellia scale, P. floccifera
eggs could be useful specifically for rearing premature life stages therefore, reducing
costs and labor needed (Mirhosseini et al. 2015). Furthermore, the age-stage,
two-sex life table of this species on green peach aphid and pistachio psylla showed
no difference between these two prey species in terms of suitability for reproduction
and growth of O. conglobata contaminata (Mokhtari and Samih 2016).
Regarding aphidophagous or cocidophagous lady beetles, the life table and
descriptive biological parameters of Acarophagous lady beetle have been studied
scarcely. Eslami Zadeh and Pourmirza (1998) reviewed the fecundity and predation
rate of Stethorus punctillum on red spider mite. Preadult duration and daily fecundity
of S. gilvifrons on the old world date mite, Oligonychus afrasiaticus (McGregor) was
reported as 18 days and five eggs at 27
C, respectively. The survey of basic biology
and predation rate of S. gilvifrons on two-spotted spider mite showed this predator
kills 212.34 mites during its premature development averagely. The suitability of
two Tetranychid mite species, Tetranychus turkestani Ugarov and Nycolsky and
Eutetranychus orientalis Klein for development and reproduction of S. gilvifrons
revealed that both species could be used as essential and complete prey. Although,
the citrus brown mite seems more suitable than T. turkestani slightly (Imani et al.
2009)
Similar to aphidophagous lady beetles, Coccidophagous species have been studied fairly detailed. Mehdian et al. (1998) considered the rearing of Chilocorus
bipustulatus L. on Dictyospermum scale, black scale, the Mediterranean flour
moth eggs and the Angoumois grain moth eggs (Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier
1789)). Among them, C. bipustulatus did not complete its life cycle on S. cerealella.
Although, lack of significant differences between daily fecundity and preadult
development period of lady beetles reared on natural and factitious prey proved
that the E. kuehniella eggs could be used as alternative prey for mass rearing this
species. However, Mehrnejad (2000b) showed significant differences in pupal
mortality of Exochomus nigripennis reared on S. cerealella eggs and citrus mealybugs, Pseudococcus citri. The natural prey made them significantly larger and
heavier than those reared on angoumois grain moth eggs. Similarly, Emmai et al.
(2002) showed the inadequacy of Ephestia and Sitotroga eggs compare to green
citrus aphid or Spirea aphid for reproduction and development of S. syriacus.
Ghanadamooz et al. (2010) reported the suitability of mulberry scale,
Pseudaulacapis pentagona Targioni cultivated on pumpkin and potato for rearing
of C. bipustulatus. Lotalizadeh et al. (2000) studied E. quadripustulatus (L.) biology
on cypress tree mealybug and reported total developmental time on Planococcus
vovae (Nasanov) was 34.47 days.
Perhaps the mealybug destroyer, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant, 1850 is
the most known and efficient Coccidophagous lady beetle in Iran. Therefore, the
laboratory biology, life table parameters and consumption rate of C. montrouzieri
Mulsant, 1850 have been studied extensively on different prey species or at various
circumstances (Table 2.2). It has been revealed that this species is one of the main
predators of coccids and feeds on Pulvinaria ovisacs, especially on citrus trees. In a
choice test, the fourth instar larvae prefer cottony camellia scale, P. floccifera