Assessment of temperature effects on the development and fecundity of Pullus mediterraneus (Col., Coccinellidae) and consumption of Saissetia oleae eggs (Hom., Coccoida)

Eggs, larval and nymphal periods and fecundity of Pullus mediterraneus were examined under 16 h light : 8 h dark combined with six constant temperatures: 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40°C. Eggs of Saissetia oleae were used as prey. The developmental time at 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C was 17.23, 4.5, 2.64, 1.67, 1.28 days for eggs and 98.47, 68.88, 53.94, 28.96, 36.51 days for larval–pupal duration, respectively. At 7°C no eggs hatched, and at 40°C all the stages died after 36 h of maximum exposure except the three last stages. The fecundity of females rearing at different temperatures ranged between 1.7 eggs at 15°C and 601.86 eggs at 30°C. The pre‐oviposition period ranged between 23.75 days at 15°C and 3.47 days at 35°C. The consumption of S. oleae eggs by the larvae reached 597.69 eggs during the pre‐imaginal development. Females attacked more eggs than males averaging 77.69 ± 22.34 eggs per 4 day period compared with 46.97 ± 10.12 eggs per 4 day period for males.