The effect of various temperatures on development and fecundity of Cheilomenes propinqua (Mulsant)(Coleoptera:Coccinellidae)

Until now, there was no any study except faunistic-systematic study of predatory insect, Cheilomenes propinqua (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) which was determined the first time in 2002 in Turkey. However, biology, ecology, etc., characteristics of as these predatory species have to be known for using in biological control. It was aimed that to determine of the immature stage?s development time, mortality rate, preoviposition, oviposition, postoviposition time of adult, the numbers of egg laid daily and totally and some biological characteristics in different temperatures in this study during 2003-2004. For these reason, the eggs at 0 and 1 day old taken from rearing cages kept in the climatic rooms, at 15, 20, 25, 30, 35ºC in stabil temperatures, 25-35ºC (12 hours at 25ºC, 12 hours at 35ºC) in variable temperatures and %60±10 humidity. C. propinqua was fed by Aphis fabae (Blanchard) which was reared on Vicia faba L. The results indicated that the shortest immature stage?s development time was at 35ºC in 9.75 days, the longest was at 15ºC in 44.06 days. The highest mortality rate was occured at 35ºC with 87.6 %, the lowest was at 25-35°C in variable temperatures with 28.4%. The shortest preoviposition time was observed at 30°C in 1.2 days, the longest was at 20°C in 9.3 days. The shortest oviposition time was obtained at 35°C in 19.4 days, the longest was at 20°C in 75.3 days. The shortest postoviposition time was determined at 30°C in 5.0 days, the longest was at 20°C in 14.6 days. The highest fecundity was found at 25°C daily 17.6 eggs and totalty 1233.6 eggs. Net production rate (Ro), Intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and mean generation time (To) of predatory insect was calculated according to the immature stage?s of development time, mortality rate, adult longevity, the numbers of egg laid by female and the optimum temperature for the predator was found as 25ºC. The developmental threshold, the total of effective temperatures and the number of generations of C. propinqua was 9.71, 208°C and 10.06 respectively. Key Words: Cheilomenes propinqua, different temperatures, biological characteristics, life table