Predatory effect of Coccinella septempunctata on Thrips tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum

Abstract:  The predatory effect of adult ladybird Coccinella septempunctata L. on adults of thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman, and whiteflies, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood), was examined in controlled environment chambers, on tomato leaves, in transparent small plastic cages at proportions of 1/(10 + 10), 1/(20 + 20), 1/(30 + 30) and 1/(40 + 40) predator/number of thrips and whiteflies. We conclude that C. septempunctata could be used with success for the biological control of thrips and whiteflies in greenhouse crops, with almost the same effectiveness as for aphids, at predator/prey proportions near 1 : 30. Additionally, it was found a prey preference for T. tabaci in comparison with T. vaporariorum . According to the model used, effective predation is correlated with predator/prey ratio rather than to prey preference.