Bioecological aspects of Eriopis connexa (Germar, 1823) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and predatory capacity on aphids Brevicoryne brassicae (Linnaeus, 1758) and Aphis craccivora C.L. Koch, 1854 (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

In this study, the biological characteristics of E. connexa fed with Brevicoyne brassicae and Aphis craccivora in comparison with Ephestia kuehniella eggs, and the consumption rate of these aphids, were determined. The bioassay to determine the biological characteristics consisted of three treatments: nymphs and adults of B. brassicae; nymphs and adults of A. craccivora; and E. kuehniella eggs. The experiment on the consumption of aphids B. brassicae and A. craccivora by first, second, third and fourth instar larvae and adults of E. connexa was carried out using prey of three ages: neonate nymphs, third instar nymphs and adults at densities of 120, 50 and 50 individuals. Ladybugs fed with B. brassicae had a longer development time of 15.8 days and a viability from larva to adult of 36.6%, while treatments with nymphs of A. craccivora and E. kuehniella had 13.8 and 13.2 days and a viability of 76.6 and 80.0%, respectively. Consumption of B. brassicae and A. craccivora nymphs and adults by E. connexa larvae and adults increased with predator age, regardless of prey age, and there were no differences in predation rate among aphids.