Biology and Predation Potential of the Indian Ladybird Serangium montazerii on Bemisia tabaci

Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Hom., Aleyrodidae) is a key pest on vegetables in Jordan. To control this pest using the specialist whiteflies’ predator, Serangium montazerii Fürsch (Col., Coccinellidae), it was important to investigate the predator s development, mortality, longevity, fecundity and predation on B. tabaci at two temperature regimes. Results indicated that S. montazerii developed on B. tabaci with a mean total duration of 19.98 and 17.35 days at 25±1°C and 23-33°C, respectively. Total mortality of S. montazerii was 27% and 46% at 25±1°C and 23-33°C, respectively. The longevity of S. montazerii females and males was not significantly different at both temperatures. Mean total fecundity was significantly higher at 25±1°C than at 23-33°C with 228.1 vs. 143.3 eggs/♀, respectively. The S. montazerii larvae consumed during their development significantly more B. tabaci immatures at 25±1°C (1541.9) than at 23-33°C (1095.4). Adults of S. montazerii consumed a total of 7805.0 and 7501.7 immatures of B. tabaci at 25±1°C and 23-33°C, respectively. In conclusion, S. montazerii seems to have a potential to be employed in biological control programmes to control B. tabaci in Jordan