Life table parameteres of Hippodamia variegata (Col.: Coccinellidae) on Aphis fabae (Hom.: Aphididae) under laboratory condition

In this study, life table parameters of the lady beetle Hippodamia variegata Goeze on Aphis fabae Scopoli were studied under laboratory condition. Ten pairs of male and female adults of the lady beetle were released into a cage (6×× cm) separately. Experiments were carried out in a growth chamber at 5±oc, 65±5 RH and 6:8(L:D) photoperiod. Parameters including age (x) and surviving from birth to exact ages (x) were used for calculation of life table parameters such as number of survival (lx), age specific mortality (qx) and life expectancy of the lady beetle (ex). The most basic life table (Fecundity subtable) parameters such as number of female produced (mx), Intrinsic rate of increase (rm), Net reproductive rate (Ro), mean generation time (T) and Doubling time (DT) were also calculated. Results revealed high potential of lady beetle to control Aphis fabae Lady beetles survived - 70 days. Age specific mortality (qx) began at 0th day and the highest rate of this parameter was observed at 69th days. Life expectancy was 5.0 at the initiation of development. Mean fecundity was 94.9 ± 5.5 eggs and sex ratio was 0.7. Intrinsic rate of natural increase, net rproductive rate, mean generation time and doubling time were estimated 0.87 female/female/day, 509 female/generation,. 7 and. 4 days, respectively.