Biology and bionomics of Cheilomenes sexmaculatus on Lipaphis erysimi was investigated under laboratory conditions during 2013. Biology of C. sexmaculatus on Lipaphis erysimi revealed the presence of four instars, which lasted for of ± days. The eggs hatched within 1–3 days. The total life span of male and female were ± days and ± days, respectively. The mean pupal period lasted for ± days. The fecundity of the female was ± eggs / female. The study on bionomics indicated a progressive increase in length and breadth of various stages after each moulting except for pupae. The average length and breadth of the eggs were ± mm and ± mm respectively. The average length and breadth of a full grown grub varied from an average of ± mm and ± mm respectively. The average body length of male was ± mm, where as the body length of female was ± mm. Four different colour morphs (orange, light red, black and yellow) were noticed in the field. | Biology and bionomics of Zig zag beetle Cheilomenes sexmaculatus Fabricius Coleoptera Coccinellidae
