Effect of Temperature on Food Consumption of Oenopia conglobata contaminata (Menteries) Fed on Aphis gossypii Glover

Larval and adult food onsumption of Oenopia conglobata contaminata was studied on Aphis gossypii under different temperatures in laboratory conditions. Feeding capacity of each larval stages of coccinellid was studied under five constant temperatures, 22.5, 25, 27.5, 30, and 32.5ºC. Feeding capacity of adults (male and female) in the first 21 days after emergence were determined under two constant temperatures, 27.5 and 30oC with feeding of A. gossypii. Results showed that larval daily food consumption increase with raising the temperature. Total food consumption of larval stages was changed only slightly with increasing temperature and no significant difference was observed at different temperatures. These results showed that each of the larval stages to complete their growth cycle need to a certain amount of prey. Study of adult females coccinellids showed no significant difference between their food consumption at 27.5 and 30°C. Also there was no difference between food consumption of males Ladybirds in temperatures. Daily food consumption in females was more than males in mentioned temperatures and this is due to more requirements of females for ovipositing.