Daily Consumption and Predation Rate of Different Stethorus gilvifrons (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Stages on Panonychus citri (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae).

Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the predatory species, Stethorus gilvifrons (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) against different stages of the citrus red mite Panonychus citri (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae). Results showed that both larvae and, in particular, adults of the predator were highly efficient in consumption of all mite stages. Efficacy of S. gilvifrons larvae increased from first to the fourth instar. Adult stage of S. gilvifrons seemed to be more voracious than larvae and consumed 78.24 - 80.63% of P. citri offered during the whole life-span of the predator. During its whole life, S. gilvifrons consumed an average of 2666 eggs, 1700.8 larvae, 1285.8 nymphs and 886.6 adults of P. citri. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]