Effects of Mineral Oils, Palizin and Buprofezin on Functional and Numerical Responses of Predatory Ladybeetle Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Mulsant, 1850)

Predatory coccinellid, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant is an important biological agent in citrus orchards. The effect of six treatments included: two types mineral oils, EC and mayonnaise at the concentration 15 ml/L, buprofezin 0.75 buprofezin+EC oil 0.5+5 insecticidal soap palizin 2.5 water as control were investigated on functional numerical responses C. under laboratory conditions. experiment predation rate female adult coccinellids to varying densities (2, 4, 8, 16, 32 64) mealybug pray, Pseudococcus citri Risso. relationship between consumption pray density was explored with a logistic regression. results regressions revealed that prey by predator had risen increased, but eventually leveled off both all insecticide (following Holling’s type II response). Comparison attack rates showed parameter significantly decreased when exposed insecticides palizin. Predator handling times for mayonnaise, buprofezin+ longer than control. longest time (1.6065 h) lowest (0.0351 h_1) estimated buprofezin+oil treatments, respectively. As increase oviposition decrease food exploitation efficiency observed. confirmed response affected tested compounds reducing predatory potential. exception low events treated montrouzieri.