Biology and predation potential of Coccinella septempunctata L. against Tetranychus urticae (Koch)

The seven spotted ladybird beetle, Coccinella septempunctata Linneaus (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera), is one of the predators for the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Koch.). The predator completed its developmental stages egg, four larval instars, and pupae with an average of 4.30 ± 0.45, 12.80 ± 0.57 and 4.35 ± 0.55 days, respectively. The mean predating potential of larvae and adult was 47.90 ± 3.69 and 61.70 ± 16.93 mites per day per individual, respectively. The higher temperature accelerates the developmental rate reducing the developmental period. The number of T. urticae consumed by C. septumpunctata increased with instars. The predating potential is more than 3–4 times as compared to predatory mite.