BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TWO PREDATORY INSECTS PREYED ON Bemisia tabaci (GENNADIUS) UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

Laboratory experiments were carried out in Plant Protection Research, Institute, Dokki, Giza, Egypt, Sharkia Branch to evaluate the efficacy of larval and adult stages of the predatory species Coccinella undecimpunctata L. and Chrysopa septempunctata Wesmael, when reared on Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) at 261°C and 705% RH. Coccinella undecimpunctata larva consumed a total average of 563.95 whitefly individuals during its four larval instars. The predator female fed on a total average of 5633.95 individuals during it's longevity (46.15 days). The total average number of eggs laid per female was 1035.65 eggs, with a daily rate of 32.98 eggs. The predator adult male consumed a total average of 3295.75 individuals during it's longevity (30.60 days). The neuropteran predator, C. septempunctata larva consumed a total average of 2207.00 individuals during its three larval instars. The predator female fed on a total average of 3314.00 whitefly individuals during its longevity (43.80 days). The total average number of eggs laid per female was 780.50 eggs with a daily average rate of 35.24 eggs. The predator male consumed a total average of 2066.50 whitefly individuals during it's longevity (32.35 days). The results assured the predation activity of these predators when reared on whitefly and they can be recommended for using them as biological control agents for controlling Bemisia tabaci.