REARING OF COCCINELLA SEPTEMPUNCTATA L. (COLEOPTERA: COCCINELLIDAE) ON NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL DIETS

Seven-spotted ladybird beetle Coccinella septempunctata L., is a natural enemy of aphids and was reared on five different natural and alternative artificial foods under laboratory conditions. Results showed that maximum egg laying (194.2 eggs) was found on natural diet (Sitobion avenae). When compared with artificial diets, only 8.2 eggs were found on diet 4 (casein protein + water + honey). Male and female sex ratio was not significantly different on all natural and artificial diets. Larval, pupal and adult emergence on artificial diet was also not significantly different on diet 2 (casein protein + protein hydrozylate + honey + water) and diet 4 (casein protein + water + honey). Maximum duration of larvae was found on diet 4 (casein protein+ water+ honey) 12.8 days which is longer than natural diet (Sitobion avenae) where it was 8.2 days. Pupal duration was found maximum on artificial diet 4 (casein protein+ protein hydrozylate+ honey+ water) 14.4 days which is longer than natural diet (Sitobion avenae) where it was 10 days and maximum adult duration was found on artificial diet 2 (casein protein + protein hydrozylate + honey + water) 18.4 days which is longer as compared to natural diet (Sitobion avenae) where it was 13.2 days.