Food consumption of the coccinellid predator, Stethorus punctillum reared on the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae under different constant temperatures

Food consumption of the predator, Stethorus punctillum Wiese reared on immature and mature stages of the prey, Tetranychus urticae (Koch) was studied under laboratory conditions at three different constant temperatures (15, 25 and 35oC). The larval instars consumed more immature prey individuals at 15oC, followed by 35 oC then 25oC. Adult males of the predator consumed more individuals of immature preys at 35oC, followed by 25 oC then at 15oC, while the predator females relatively consumed more prey individuals than the males, at the same temperatures. When the larvae of the predator reared on mature stages of the prey, they consumed more prey individuals at 15oC, followed by 25oC then at 35oC. The adult males and females of the predator consumed almost the same numbers of the prey individuals. They consumed the highest number of preys at 35oC, followed by 25oC, while the lowest consumed number was recorded at 15oC.