Influence of Crapemyrtle aphid, Tinocallis kahawaluokalani (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on population characteristics of three aphidophagous ladybird beetles

The crapemyrtle aphid, Tinocallis kahawaluokalani is a common sap-sucking insect pest of crapemyrtle plant, Lagerstroemia indica L. (Pers.) (Myrtales: Lythraceae). The life history and population characteristics of three aphidophagous ladybird beetles (Coccinella septempunctata, Menochilus sexmaculatus and Oenopia sauzeti) were studied on T. kahawaluokalani based on two sex life table theories. Results reveal that immature survival, total longevity of adult and reproductive parameters was higher for C. septempunctata than to M. sexmaculatus and O. sauzeti. The population dynamic parameters including net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) were higher for C. septempunctata and M. sexmaculatus than those for O. sauzeti. The intrinsic rate of increase ‘r’ as a key fitness parameter for three aphidophagous predators on T. kahawaluokalani in increasing order was C. septempunctata > M. sexmaculatus > O. sauzeti. These results suggested that C. septempunctata and M. sexmaculatus have more potential to control T. kahawaluokalani. The information obtained from current study may also be useful in using T. kahawaluokalani for mass rearing of these beetles in the laboratory.