Bioecology of Synia melanaria Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), predating on Coptosoma ostensum Distant

Bioecology of Synia melanaria Mulsant, a predator of nymphs of Coptosoma ostensum Dist., was studied under laboratory conditions (25±5.0°C and 80±50% R.H.) prevailing during October-November. The short life cycle was completed in 19 days. The average fecundity was 1401.2 eggs per female in 70 days and the hatchability was 97 per cent. The longevity of adult beetles was five and four months for female and male, respectively. Both the adults and larvae were voracious predator. A larva consumed on an average 426 nymphs before pupation. The female and male consumed on an average 44 and 40 nymphs per day, respectively. Likewise, 6600 and 4800 nymphs were predated during the total life span of a female and male. The short life cycle, high reproductive potential, higher longevity and survival of adults for over two months without food could be exploited for its mass rearing under laboratory conditions.