Propylea dissecta | |
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Species: | P. dissecta
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Propylea dissecta (Mulsant)
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Propylea dissecta, is a species of lady beetle native to India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.[1][2]
This robust beetle is about 5 to 6 mm in length. Elytra reddish orange in color with black central line. Adults show polymorphism with several intermediate and pale forms.[3]
Sexual maturity of male and female ladybirds is about 7 and 9 days respectively. Adult males are more willing to mate with females irrespective of age. Mating duration is longest amongst older adults where 30 day-old males and 20 day-old females can be found.[4][5] Chemical signals as well as visual and tactile cues initiate male attraction toward females. Mating lasted longest about 275 minutes when it occurred between unmated individuals.[6]
It is a voracious predator on several aphids such as Aphis gossypii, Aphis craccivora, Lipaphis erysimi, Uroleucon compositae, Brevicoryne brassicae, Rhopalosiphum maidis and Myzus persicae.[7][8][9][10]