Rearing of Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius) on artificial diet and its predatory efficiency against Aphis craccivora Koch

An attempt was made to rear Cheilomenes sexmaculata larvae on freeze-dried artificial diet originally developed for rearing Cryptolaemus montrouzieri. Larval duration of the predators reared on artificial diet was significant more than that of aphid (Aphis craccivora) reared predators. The adult emergence differed significantly between 2 (60.4%) and 3 days old larvae (62.9%) compared to those larvae, which were reared on aphids (68.1). Artificial diet reared predators survived for 48.0 to 52.0 days which was significantly different from the aphid reared predators (78.0 days). The adult emergence of the predator on artificial diet and aphids was significantly different. The number of aphids consumed by artificial diet reared and aphid reared on C. sexmaculata larva was 238.0 and 245.0 aphids, respectively and they were at par.