Morphological Studies of the Predatory Ladybird Beetle Stethorus vagans (Blackburn) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Morphological features of the ladybird beetle Stethorus vagans (Blackburn) were studied at 25 ± 2°C with a photoperiod of 16L: 8D. All stages of S. vagans were examined under a stereo-zoom microscope. Newly laid eggs were translucent white, turning pale yellow after 4-5 hours. The mean egg dimension was 0.36 × 0.19 mm. Eggs laid by unmated females did not hatch or show any signs of development. Newly emerged larvae were white in color, but soon became pale creamy-white. There were four larval instars, which were differentiated from each other by the presence of exuviae and differences in head capsule size. The pre-pupa, not a distinct stage in the life cycle but a quiescent period at the end of the 4th larval instar, lasted for several hours. Pupae were oval, flattened and black-brown with fine hair like setae on their dorsal sides with a mean length and width of 1.06 × 0.74 mm. The adults were oval, convex and black with small yellow setae on their dorsal side.