Laboratory Rearing Of Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellide)

• Mohamad AL-ALLAN, Mariam AL-BASALA, Adel AL-MANUFI and Noura HSSEN
• General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCASR), B. O. Box.113, Damascus, Syria

Abstract

The research was carried out at the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Entomology Lab. in 2002-2003. Adults of Coccinella septempunctata L. were collected from fields at Damascus rural areas and reared on the aphid Aphis fabae on faba bean plants. Eggs of C. septempunctata were incubated on different degrees of temperature (27, 30, and 32) to estimate the durations of different stages. In order to activate mass rearing. The results showed significant difference between the periods of incubation on 27°C and those on 30 and 32°C; where they were 5.67±1.90; 2.47±0.48; 2.84±0.38 days respectively. The first larval instar showed insignificant difference between it's periods on above-mentioned temperatures being 1.11±0.38; 1.33±0.48; 1.28±0.45 days, respectively. The second larval instar also showed insignificant difference between its periods recording 1.23±0.63; 1.16±0.37; 1.19±0.40 days, respectively. Also, there was significant difference between the periods of third instar on 27°C and those on 30 and 32°C as well as between 30, 32°C where these periods were 2.23±1.09; 1.32±0.52; 1.24±0.48 days, respectively. Durations of the fourth larval instar showed insignificant difference on the above-mentioned temperatures, and these periods were 3.58±1.65; 2.88±1.14; 3.08±1.46 days, respectively. The results showed significant difference between the periods of pupal stage on 30°C and those on 27 and 32°C at 95% confidence level, while difference between the periods of pupa stage on 27 and 32°C was insignificant. The pupal periods were 4.72±1.63; 3.87±0.96; 4.55±1.46 days, respectively. Longevity of the adult stage showed insignificant differences at the above-mentioned temperatures, i.e. 106.74±103; 101.55±83.8; 83.23±82.49 days, respectively.