On the biology of Lioadalia flavomaculara (Deg.) (Col., Coccineffidae), a predator of the wheat aphid (Schizaphis graminum (Rond.)) in South Africa

An account is given of the biology and different life stages of Lioadalia flavomaculata (Deg.), an important predator of the wheat aphid, Schizaphis graminum (Rond.), in the Orange Free State, South Africa. Eggs are laid in batches of 6–23 eggs, generally on the soil, and incubation takes 2.1–2.8 days at 32°C and 8.6–9.1 days at 16°C. There are four larval instars, the last of which has the longest duration; total development of the immature stages averaged 11.5, 161, 220, 30.2, 35.5 and 54.0 days at 32, 27, 24, 21, 18.5 and 16°C, respectively. Beetles mate within a few days of emergence and oviposition commences 3–10 days later, depending on temperature. Maximum fecundity averaged 858.5 eggs at 24°C. From 20.7 to 24.6 eggs per day were laid at the higher range of temperatures studied (24–32°C). Oviposition took place mainly during the day. Adult life span was 24–74.3 days.