Life table, consumption rate and cold storage of Nabis pseudoferus (Hemiptera: Nabidae), the predator of agricultural crop pests

Nabis pseudoferus is a major biocontrol agent of sucking pests and caterpillars. Life history parameters, consumption rate and cold storage of N. pseudoferus on three diets; Aphis gossypii, Ephestia kuehniella eggs, and Aphis gossypii + Ephestia kuehniella eggs were estimated at 25 ± 1°C temperature, 60 ± 10% R.H. and a photoperiod of 16:8 h. (L:D). The results revealed that the intrinsic rate of increase (r) were 0.033 ± 0.003, 0.043 ± 0.003 and 0.062 ± 0.002 day-1 which was significantly different in terms of feeding diets. Data analysis showed that the net predation rate (C0) of N. pseudoferus by feeding on cotton aphid and mixed diets of cotton aphid + Ephstia kuehniella eggs were 1347.95 ± 276.77 and 2259.62 ± 145.54, respectively. Additionally, hatching rate of N. pseudoferus eggs after cold storage at 5°C for 7, 14 and 21 days were 72.22, 69.23 and 69.23%, respectively. These results could be useful for optimizing rearing procedure of N. pseudoferus.