Suitability of three prey species for Nearctic populations of Coccinella septempunctata, Hippodamia variegata, and Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Coccinella septempunctata larvae reared at 23±2°C (16L:8D) on pea aphids Acyrthosiphon pisum required an average of 13.1 d to complete development, a significantly faster rate of development than observed on corn leaf aphids Rhopalosiphum maidis (16 d). Adult C. septempunctata from larvae reared on A. pisum were larger and weighed more than adults reared on R. maidis. Developmental times of Nearctic Hippodamia variegata and Propylea quatuordecimpunctata were not influenced by larval prey, but adult P. quatuordecimpunctata were heavier and larger when reared on A. pisum. First instars of the coccinellid species tested did not feed on European corn borer eggs Ostrinia nubilalis. -from Authors