Potential of predatory natural enemies for biological control of sap-sucking insect pests in Paraguay

Bionomics of some predators attacking aphids and spider mites of vegetables was investigated in Paraguay. Ladybirds, Eriopis connexa, Coleomegilla maculata, C. quadrifasciata, and Olla v-nigrum, were successfully reared on a drone honeybee powder diet. Total development time was 18.9 days in E. connexa, 21.2 days in C. maculata, 20.0 days in C. quadrifasciata, and 18.9 days in O. v-nigrum at 25 deg C when they fed on the drone powder diet. Mean adult body weight of each species was 11.7 mg in E. connexa, 18.9 mg in C. maculata, 24.4 mg in C. quadrifasciata, and 16.2 mg in O. v-nigrum. Adult of E. connexa consumed 31.0 Aphis gossypii individuals or 22.1 Lipaphis erysimi individuals per day at 25degC, while C. maculata consumed 34.5 A. gossypii individuals or 6.6 L. erysimi individuals per day. Predatory mites, Phytoseiulus macropilis, P. fragariae, and Amblyseius idaeus were collected in strawberry fields in Caacupe and Ita. The development time was 5.0 days in P. macropilis and 7.0 days in A. idaeus at 25degC. Female of P. macropilis consumed 27.0 eggs of Tetranychus urticae per day and deposited 3.1 eggs, while A. idaeus consumed 18.0 eggs of T. urticae per day and deposited 3.2 eggs at 25degC.