BIOLOGY OF THE COCCINELLID PREDATOR, Clitostethus acuatus (ROSSI), IN WINTER, AS REARED ON EGG OF THE WHITE FLY, Bemisia tabaci

The predator, Clitostethus arcuatus (Rossi) is an efficient natural enemy against several homopterous insects. It overwinters under cold conditions as an adult. In this investigation, the diapausing predator turned into active by rearing under laboratory condations of 15-20 ◌ْ C, and 59 -80% R.H. At these conditions, incubation period lasted for 9.8 + 0.20 days, larval stage for 23.5 + 0.13 days, pupal stage for 8.3 + 0.05 days. Total development period took 40-49 days. Egg hatchability was quiet high ( 92 % ), and the sex ratio was 2: 3 for the females and males, respectively. These results wuld be useful , if the mass-rearing of the predator was initated early in the season. Thus, the predator could be available as early as possible for biological control procedures.