Scientia Agricola (2003) 60, 587-589

Julio César Guerreiro, Antonio Carlos Busoli and Evoneo Berti Filho (2003)
Oviposition and predation of Pentilia egena mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in response to temperature
Scientia Agricola 60 (3), 587-589
Abstract: The species Pentilia egena Mulsant is an important predator of armored scales that occur in citrus orchards in Brazil. To intensify this biological control, knowing bioecological aspects in necessary for the improvement of massal insect rearing. This research investigated the influence of temperature (19^oC, 24^oC and 29^oC) on the number of eggs laid by P. egena and the number of Aspidiotus nerii Bouché scales preyed by this coccinellid. The highest number of eggs laid and of scales preyed, 5.1 ± 0.59 and 11.3 ± 0.19, respectively, occurred at 29^oC. However, egg viability (52.86%) was reduced at this temperature, and was lower than those at 19^oC and 24^oC (78.10% and 74.07%, respectively). Temperature did not affect the ladybeetle oviposition behavior as the eggs were laid under the scale of preyed A. nerii.
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Database assignments for author(s): Julio César Guerreiro

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Aspidiotus nerii
Pentilia egena (predator)	Aspidiotus nerii