INFLUENCE OF PREDATOR AND PREY DENSITIES ON LARVAL CANNIBALISM IN LADYBEETLE, Coccinella undecimpunctata L. UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

Influence of predator and prey densities on larval cannibalism in aphidophagous, Coccinella undecimpunctata L. was studied under laboratory conditions. Cannibalism increased with reduced food availability. In the absence of prey, there was a significant differences of larval cannibalism and recorded the highest rate of cannibalism. Cannibalism rate also increased with an increase in larval density of predator. The high rate of cannibalism was recorded at high larval density. Third and fourth levels of density of predator(9 and 12 larvae/ unit) had the highest cannibalism rate in the first instar at the first aphid density (25aphids/unit). There were significant differences between larval densities of the four larval instars of C. undecimpunctata.