Purpose: The capacity of ladybird beetles in consuming different aphid species was not clear in Chitwan district. Therefore, a study to understand the efficacy of ladybird beetle Coccinella septempunctata on different species of aphids was carried out. Methods: A laboratory analysis for three species of aphids namely, black bean aphid Aphis fabae, cucurbit aphid Aphis gossipii, and mustard aphid Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) based on feeding capacity of ladybird beetle Coccinella septempunctata was conducted at Agriculture

and Forestry University, Chitwan, Nepal during November 2014 to November. Interrelationship between fluctuating temperature and aphid consumption rate of ladybird beetles was also observed. Results: At average temperature between 17 and 23^oC the maximum feeding of aphids by the beetle was analyzed, and the ladybird beetle consumed highest numbers of mustard aphid Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) followed by black bean aphid Aphis fabae and cucurbit aphid Aphis gossipii during 5-35oC temperature. All the three species of aphids were consumed highest by the adults of the ladybird beetle compared with its larval instars. At any adult stage of adult ladybird beetle the consumption rate of aphid species was highest for mustard aphid Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) followed by black bean aphid Aphis fabae and cucurbit aphid Aphis gossipii. With increase of the age of adult ladybird beetles the capacity of aphid consumption also

increased. Conclusion: Therefore, ladybird beetle C. septempunctata have variable efficacy of aphid consumption based on the temperature parameter and species of aphids.

Highlights

• The study concentrates efficacy of ladybird beetle C. septempunctata in different species of aphids.
• This research focuses on temperature parameters in relation with predatory frequency and potentiality of ladybird beetles on aphid species.