Stathas, G.J. 2000 Rhyzobius lophanthae prey consumption and fecundity.. Phytoparasitica 28(3): 203-211.

Notes: The daily and total prey consumption and the fecundity of the predator Rhyzobius lophanthae Blaisdell (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) fed on the scale Aspidiotus nerii Bouche (Homoptera: Diaspididae) were studied under controlled laboratory conditions. The prey consumption of R. lophanthae was studied on larvae and on virgin adults, and the fecundity on mated females. For the development of the 1st instar larvae of R. lophanthae at 25 degrees C, 1.2 adult female A. nerii were consumed; for the development of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th instar larvae, prey consumption was 2.7, 7.5 and 24.6 adult females, respectively. The duration of the larval development of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th instars was 3, 2.2, 2.7 and 6.7 days, respectively. R. lophanthae male and female adults consumed in their lifetime 390.6 and 672.3 adult female A. nerii respectively. Thus, the male's daily prey consumption came to 7 and the female's to 12 adult female A. nerii. The average fecundity of R. lophanthae was calculated to be 633.7 eggs per female and the daily fecundity to be 18-25 eggs. The average longevity was 63.4 days for mated adult females and 119.4 days for unmated.