Journal of Entomology1812-56701812-5689Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/je.2013.76.85 Cheilomenes propingua, C. lunata and C. sulphurea (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to Predation on Aphis gossypii (Homoptera: Aphididae) in Eastern Tanzania]]>MrossoF. MwatawalaM. RwegasiraG. 22013102Functional response is one of factors to know before considering use of predators in biocontrol programme. A study to determine type of functional responses of Cheilomenes propingua, Cheilomenes lunata and Cheilomenes sulphurea (predators) at different Aphis gossypii (prey) densities (i.e., 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500) were investigated in the laboratory using petri-dishes in ten replicates. Mean number of prey consumed were plotted against the initial density supplied which showed Type II Functional response to all three predators. The result was confirmed by using logistic regression model which showed negative linear parameter. The linear reciprocal transformation of the Hollings disc equation was used to determine handling time (Th) and search rate (a). The handling times 0.171, 0.196, 0.240 h for the females C. lunata, C. sulphurea and C. propingua, respectively were obtained of which were generally lower than that of the male coccinellids 0.217, 0.220 and 0.270 h. Female search rates were estimated as 1,258, 1.277 and 1.404 and males 1.312, 1.360, 1.489 for C. lunata, C. sulphurea and C. propingua, respectively. The above results indicate higher predation aggressiveness of females as compared to the males. Handling times for C. lunata and C. sulphurea females and males were lowest when compared to C. propingua suggesting to be more efficient in aphid consumption than C. propingua. It is concluded that the three coccinellid predators have type II Functional response and also C. lunata and C. sulphurea have a greater potential of eating aphids than C. propingua. Field studies are required to explore their potential under natural conditions.]]>Atlihan, R. and H. Guldal,2009Scymnus subvillosus.]]>373541Chimoga, A.R.,20022002Da Rocha, L. and L.R. Redaelli,2004Cosmoclopius nigroannulatus (Hem.: Reduviidae) to different densities of Spartocera dentiventris (Hem.: Coreidae) nymphae.]]>64309316Fernandez-Arhex, V. and J.C. Corley,200313403413Hassell, M.P.,1978pp: 248.pp: 248.Hassell, M.P., J.H. Lawton and J.R. Beddington,197746249262Holling, C.S.,195991385389Holling, C.S.,196698586Hughes, R.D., L.T. Woolcock and M.A. Hughes,199263177185Isikber, A.A.,2004Scymnus levaillanti and Cycloneda sanguinea, to the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii.]]>29347355Jafari, R. and S. Goldasteh,2009Hippodamia variegata (GOEZE) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on Aphis fabae (Scopoli) (Homoptera: Aphididae) in laboratory conditions.]]>1493100Juliano, S.A.,20012001pp: 178-196pp: 178-196Kabissa, J.C.B.,1993Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Aphis gossypii, (Glover) (Homoptera: Aphididae) on cotton, Gossypium hirsutum (L.) in Eastern Tanzania.]]>1993Khan, H.A. and A. Suhail,2001Coccinellidae: Coleoptera) under controlled conditions.]]>3384386Livdahl, T.P. and A.E. Stiven,198311513651370Mrosso, F.P. and J.C.B. Kabissa,2000Helicoverpa armigera, (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae) (Hubner) and Cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii, (Homoptera: Aphididae) (Glover)on cotton in Eastern Tanzania.]]>179Nghoma, N.M.,1998Helicoverpa armigeara (Hubner) and cotton aphids (Aphis gossypii (Glover) on cotton in Mwanza region.]]>1998Pervez, A. and Omkar,20052005Sabaghi, R., A. Sahragard and R. Hosseini,2011Syriacus marseul (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to the black bean aphid, Aphis fabae Scopoli (Hemiptera: Aphididae) under laboratory conditions.]]>51423428Saleh, A., I. Ghabeish, F. Al-Zyoud, M. Ateyyat and M. Swais,2010Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) feeding on the aphid Brachycaudus helichrysi (Kaltenbach) infesting chrysanthemum in the Laboratory.]]>31720Sapkota, A.P.,2004Aphid gossypii in cotton: Laboratory studies and field validation.]]>2004SAS Institute,1999Timms, J.E., T.H. Oliver, N.A. Straw and S.R. Leather,2008Aphidecta obliterata (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) better adapted to spruce than the generalist Adalia bipunctata (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)?]]>47273281Treen, A.J.,19821982pp: 4pp: 4