Life history of Axinoscymnus cardilobus (Col., Coccinellidae), a predator of Bemisia tabaci (Hom., Aleyrodidae)

Axinoscymnus cardilobus is an indigenous coccinellid predator in South China, which feeds on many whitefly species. Its development, consumption rate, survivorship, longevity and fecundity on a diet of eggs and nymphs of Bemisia tabaci were evaluated. Larval consumption decreased sharply as instars of B. tabaci become bigger, and development time of beetle larvae was significantly different when fed on different stages of B. tabaci. The sex ratio was 0.44. The performances were better after feeding on whitefly eggs than nymphs. Axinoscymnus cardilobus showed good potential for biological control of B. tabaci, especially in greenhouse situations.