European Journal of Entomology (2007) 104, 407-415

D.C. Kontodimas, P.G. Milonas, G.J. Stathas, L.P. Economou and N.G. Kavallieratos (2007)
Life table parameters of the pseudococcid predators Nephus includens and Nephus bisignatus (Coleoptera: Coccinelidae)
European Journal of Entomology 104 (3), 407-415
Abstract: The fecundity of the pseudococcid predators Nephus includens (Boheman) and N. bisignatus (Kirsch) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), fed on Planococcus citri Risso (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), was studied at several constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, 32.5 and 35°C). With additional data for the development of the immature stages, life-fecundity tables were constructed and some population parameters calculated. The average total fecundities of N. includens at the above temperatures were 49.2, 97.8, 162.8, 108.5, 87.4 and 31.1 eggs/female, and average longevities 99.5, 84.7, 69.5, 61.1, 49.6 and 30.1 days, respectively. The net reproductive rates (R_o) were 8.0, 32.2, 60.7, 32.6, 20.7 and 2.6 females/female, and the intrinsic rates of increase (r_m) 0.014, 0.041, 0.083, 0.086, 0.077 and 0.024 females/female/day, respectively. The average total fecundities of N. bisignatus at 15, 20, 25, 30 and 32.5 ^¿C were 54.7, 72.1, 96.9, 56.0 and 22.8 eggs/female, and average longevities 116.1, 108.7, 71.8, 68.8 and 43.7 days, respectively. The net reproductive rates (R_o) were 13.9, 26.4, 31.3, 15.2 and 3.6 females/female and the intrinsic rates of increase (r_m) were 0.017, 0.035, 0.060, 0.051 and 0.024 females/female/day, respectively. The survival of females at each temperature was fitted using a Weibull distribution [S(t) = exp(-(t/b)^c)]. Furthermore two mathematical models [Enkegaard equation: F = (a+b+x)·e(c+d·x), Analytis equation: F = a·(x-xmin)ⁿ ·(xmin- x)^m] were fitted to the fecundity data.
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Database assignments for author(s): Dimitris C. Kontodimas, Panagiotis G. Milonas, Nickolas G. Kavallieratos

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Planococcus citri
Nephus includens (predator)	Planococcus citri
Nephus bisignatus (predator)	Planococcus citri