Banker plant system using Hysteroneura setariae (Thomas) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) as a non-pest prey to build up the lady beetle populations

Abstract To establish a banker plant system, basic biological and ecological research is required concerning plants, the pests, alternative hosts, and natural enemies. Predation of grass aphids, Hysteroneura setariae (Thomas) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) by two lady beetle species, Coccinella transversalis (Fabricius) and Menochilus sexmaculatus Fab. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) was compared to the predation of cotton aphids, Aphis gossypii (Glover) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) by examining the larval performance of the two lady beetle species. Coccinella transversalis developed faster when feeding on H . setariae than on A . gossypii , but consumed more A . gossypii than H . setariae . In contrast, M . sexmaculatus developed faster and consumed more prey when reared on A . gossypii than on reared on H . setariae . Coccinella transversalis larvae consumed more aphids than M . sexmaculatus . Hysteroneura setariae did not infest economically important greenhouse vegetables. The reproductive rate of H . setariae was highest when reared on Indian goosegrass, Eleusine indica (Poaceae) among the grass species tested. Results indicated that a banker plant system using H . setariae could be used without negative effect on vegetable crops to sustain lady beetle populations and also reduce A . gossypii numbers.