Stage-specific functional response of Coccinella septempunctata L. was evaluated under laboratory conditions to varying densities (10, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 150 and 200) of Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach)., Diuraphis noxia Kurdjumov. and Aphis nerii Fonscolombe. Logistic regression analysis of all life stages of C. septempunctata exhibited negative linear-coefficient (P1), confirming a curvilinear type II functional response against all the tested aphid species. The fourth instar of C. septempunctata, in comparison to other stages, exhibited the highest predation activity against D. noxia and A. nerii, with an attack rate (a) of 7.31 h-1, 5.79 h-1 and handling time (Th) of 0.0106 h, 0.0092 h, respectively. Under different densities of L. erysimi, adult females of C. septempunctata exhibited the highest predation activity with an a of 7.58 h-1, followed by the fourth instar with a of 7.31 h-1 and adult male 6.60 h-1 and Th of 0.0066 h, 0.0079 h and 0.0092 h, respectively. The attack rate and handling time estimated for different stages of C. septempunctata showed that the fourth instar of C. septempunctata had the highest attack rate, whereas handling time was variable. Adult females of C. septempunctata showed minimum handling time (0.00013 h) in most of the cases. Our results suggest that the fourth instar larvae and adult female of C. septempunctata are efficient predator for the biological control of L. erysimi, D. noxia and A. nerii. Further field-based studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

The Zigzag ladybird beetle, Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is a biological control agent that feeds on a variety of aphid species. Life table and predation data of C. sexmaculata were collected under laboratory conditions at 25±2⁰C, 60±5% RH and L14: D10 h in connection with feeding on four different aphid species; Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach), Myzus persicae (Sulzer), Aphis nerii (Boyer de Fonscolombe) and Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko). Larval development of C. sexmaculata was long when fed on M. persicae (12.18 days) and shorter on D. noxia (10.64 days). The male’s lifespan was longer on M. persicae (26.70 days) and shorter on L. erysimi (23.67 days). Fecundity was maximum when the beetle was fed D. noxia (316.8 eggs/female) and minimum on M. persicae (199.1 eggs/female). Net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of increase and finite rate of increase were highest on D. noxia with values of 158.4 (offspring individual^-1), 0.22 d^-1, and 1.24 d^-1, respectively whereas the respective parameters were lowest on L. erysimi (99.5 offspring individual^-1, 0.19 d^-1, and 1.20 d^-1, respectively). However, the mean of the generation (T) was shorter on A. nerii (22.48 d^-1) and longer on M. persicae (24.68 d^-1). Based on life table parameters obtained under laboratory conditions, the most appropriate host of C. sexmaculata was D. noxia. This study should help us to improve mass rearing and use of C. sexmaculata in the biological control of aphids on field and horticultural crops.

The Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is one of the most beneficial and identifiable predators of numerous soft-bodied and sucking insect pests of several crops. Biological parameters and olfactory response of C. sexmaculata were investigated under laboratory conditions by providing three different aphid species i.e., mustard aphid (Lipaphis erysimi Kaltenbach), citrus black aphid (Toxoptera citricida Kirkaldy), and peach aphid (Diuraphis noxia Kurdjumov) as a food source. The developmental period of immature stages of C. sexmaculata was shorter on D. noxia as compared to other aphid species. The adult longevities were longer on D. noxia and T. citricida while shorter on L. erysimi. Female fecundity was highest on D. noxia while lowest on L. erysimi. Life table parameters i.e., intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), net reproductive rate (Ro), and gross reproductive rate (GRR) were maximum on D. noxia while minimum on L. erysimi. The mean generation time C. sexmaculata was 20.90, 23.69, and 26.2 days on D. noxia, L. erysimi, T. and citricida, respectively. These findings were further confirmed from the olfactory experiment where D. noxia proved to be the most preferred prey. This study provides necessary information for mass-rearing of C. sexmaculata.

Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), (Noctuidae, Lepidoptera), commonly known as fall armyworm (FAW), is a significant polyphagous pest that can cause considerable damage to various crops. Fundamental research on FAW is crucial and beneficial for creating an integrated management strategy. Lot of literatures are available on web to describe the fitness of FAW via conventional methods that deals the basic biology of FAW. However, there is currently a need to check the fitness for each stage of FAW using an advanced two-sex life table tool, which is crucial for creating efficient control strategies. The proposed study used an age-stage, two-sex life table to examine the lifetable parameters of FAW on four natural hosts: castor beans (Ricinus communis), potatoes (Solanum tuberosum), maize (Zea mays L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivium L.). The findings demonstrated that, despite notable variations in development and reproduction, the FAW completed its life cycle on each of the four studied hosts. The FAW that were fed maize performed at their best, showing shorter immature (egg-pupa) phases, longer lifespans, and better rates of adult reproduction. On maize, female FAW had the highest fecundity (2497.1 eggs/female), while on wheat, it was the lowest (675 eggs/female). With values of 532.8 (offspring individual-1), 0.21d^-1, and 1.23 d^-1, respectively, net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of increase, and finite rate of increase peaked on maize, while the corresponding parameters were lowest on wheat (94.62 offspring individual^-1, 0.11 d^-1, and 1.12 d^-1, respectively). This study indicates that all host plants can contribute to the development and outbreak of this pest in the absence of its primary host. Therefore, all potential host plants in the area should be thoroughly examined when developing an IPM program against said pest.