Biology and feeding potential of the seven-spotted lady beetle, Coccinellaseptempunctata on the mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi

The lady beetle, Coccinella septempunctata, is a notable predator of aphids. Laboratory study conducted at the Department of Entomology, G.D. Goenka University, Gurugram, examined the developmental biology and feeding potential of C. septempunctata using the mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi, as prey. The average incubation period for C. septempunctata was 4.23 ± 1.12 days, followed by a larval period of 12.76 ± 1.56 days. The pre-pupal stage lasted 1.23 ± 0.67 days, and the pupal stage extended for 5.2 ± 1.03 days. The life span of an adult male was recorded as 32.38 ± 4.31 days, while that of an adult female was 34.28 ± 5.24 days. However, overall male longevity was 43.42 ± 4.38 days, whereas female longevity reached 48.27 ± 5.18 days. Aphid consumption per instar of Coccinella septempunctata grubs was recorded as follows: 3.23 ± 0.68 aphids for the first instar, 2.54 ± 0.52 for the second, 3.43 ± 0.64 for the third, and 3.56 ± 0.82 for the fourth instar. The predation potential of male beetles was 125.44 ± 8.89 aphids per day, while female beetles consumed 158.16 ± 6.85 aphids per day. Fourth-instar grubs exhibited a higher pest suppression capacity, as they consumed more aphids daily than adult beetles.