Abstract
The purple scale predator, Rhyzobius lophanthae Blaisdell (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is known as coccidophagous ladybird predator, and effective against scales’ insects. The present study aimed to evaluate the optimum temperature for the species to be more efficient. In this study, the life table parameters of R. lophanthae were determined on different temperatures at 4, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 °C and 60% RH, by calculations using RmStat-3 software according to Euler-Lotka equation. The results showed that the intrinsic rates of increase (rm) were 0.016, 0.022, 0.030, 0.052, 0.056, 0.068, 0.120, 0.142, 0.132, 0.021 females/females/day, respectively, while the net reproductive rates (R0) were 7.082, 9.514, 11.960, 50.906, 54.150, 49.525, 56.883, 80.944, 31.149, 1.882 females/females/generation, respectively. The mean generation times (T0) were 125.966, 104.602, 84.009, 75.742, 71.511, 57.568, 33.801, 30.866, 25.978, 30.759 days, respectively. Total productivity rates (GRR) were 34.865, 39.210, 48.216, 201.990, 209.469, 166.207, 177.779, 303.751, 105.751, 12.622 egg/female, respectively. The study concluded that 26-30 °C was the optimum temperature range for the efficient role of R. lophanthae under laboratory conditions. From the results, it is still needed to do more studies on the interactions of pests, predators with environmental conditions.