Adult morphology and life cycle under constant temperatures of the predator Rhyzobius lophanthae Blaisdell (Col., Coccinellidae)

The external and internal morphological characteristics of the predator Rhyzobius lophanthae Blaisdell (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) were studied. The head, antenna, thorax elytra, hind wings, legs and abdomen are described. The adult has an average length of about 2.5mm and width of 1.8mm. The flagellum of the antenna consists of 9 segments. The whole surface of thorax and elytra is covered by setae. The tarsus of the 3 legs is 3-segmented. An external morphological difference between male and female is the outline of the 5^th sternite. The alimentary canal, the central nervous system, and the reproductive system of both male and female are also described. The testes consist of 10 follicles and the ovaries of 10 ovarioles. The life cycle of R. lophanthae was studied by rearing the predator on the diaspidid Chrysomphalus aonidum (Linnaeus). The duration of the development of the embryo, 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th larval instars, pupa and preoviposition period of adults were measured at 15, 20, 25 and 30°C.