Florida red scale, Chrysomphalus aonidum (L.) is a species of armored scales, which attacks citrus crops. Biological control, particularly ladybeetles, are critical for its management in citrus production systems. We evaluated predation of C. aonidum by adult and larvae (3rd–4th instar) of the metallic blue ladybeetle, Curinus coeruleus. C. coeruleus were tested against C. aonidum in three separate treatments on Valencia orange leaves in Petri-dish arenas (1) individuals with armor intact, (2) individuals with armor removed, and (3) mix of individuals with armor intact or removed, to determine if armor inflicts distraction to predator consumption of scale and impact. Within 24 h of exposure to C. aonidum, adult beetle consumption rate averaged 64–68% in the two treatments containing all or half of the individuals with armor, compared to 100% in the treatment with armor removed. The consumption rate in the former two treatments increased to 83–89% within 72 h. Larval consumption of C. aonidum with armor intact was 25% at 24 h and 41% at 72 h, compared to 92–100% in the treatment with armor removed. The adults resulting from the larvae developed on C. aonidum with the armor intact or between the diets of armor intact or removed consumed more scales without armor than with armor. Significant consumption of C. aonidum by adults and larvae of C. coeruleus indicates that it is an efficient predator of this pest species. These novel findings suggest that this predator could be useful for suppressing C. aonidum populations in citrus production systems, particularly in habitats where both species are established such as Florida.

The ovipositional orientation of an aphidophagous ladybird beetle, Propylea dissecta (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in terms of geo- and photo-taxis, colour and texture of substrates was studied. The beetle exhibited a high preference for negatively geotactic substrates for oviposition. There was no clear preference for positively or negatively phototactic substrates. When studied in combination, it was observed that substrates that were negatively geotactic were preferred over other substrates regardless of the phototaxis. Red was highly preferred over the other 5 colours tested, and plastic was the substrate of choice for P. dissecta oviposition.

The influence of temperature on the age-specific fecundity of an aphidophagous ladybeetle, Micraspis discolor (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) feeding on the cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch (Homoptera: Aphididae) at four different temperatures, viz. 20, 25, 27 and 30 °C, was investigated. The age-specific fecundity function was triangular and oviposition rate (no. of eggs/ day) increased with increase in reproductive age of the ladybeetle, attaining a peak then gradually decreasing before finally ceasing. Young adults were more efficient at converting aphid biomass into eggs than older ones. The oviposition peak tended to shift towards younger females and the oviposition rate increased with increase in temperature from 20 to 27 °C. The maximum fecundity and percent egg viability was 750 eggs and 95 % at 27 °C and minimum 385 eggs and 65 % at 20 °C, respectively.