Nephaspis oculatus
(Blatchley, 1917)
eyed lady
Nephaspis oculatus is a small coccinellid specialized as a of whitefly . Under laboratory conditions at 26°C, development from egg to averages 22.7 days. The exhibits highly specific feeding , consuming only eggs of Bemisia argentifolii and rejecting nymphal and adult stages. Both larvae and adults are predatory, with consumption increasing through larval instars. The species has been evaluated for potential against silverleaf whitefly in agricultural systems.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Nephaspis oculatus: /nɛˈfæs.pɪs ˌɒ.kjʊˈleɪ.təs/
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Habitat
Associated with agricultural and greenhouse environments where whiteflies occur; laboratory studies indicate strong preference for collard over tomato, soybean, eggplant, or sweet potato for oviposition and foraging. did not deposit on soybean or tomato in laboratory conditions.
Distribution
Recorded from North America, Oceania, and Hawaii.
Diet
Exclusively of Bemisia argentifolii (silverleaf whitefly). Both larvae and feed only on whitefly eggs and do not consume nymphal or adult stages of the prey.
Host Associations
- Bemisia argentifolii - preyexclusive prey; both larvae and feed only on whitefly
Life Cycle
Complete . to development averaged 22.7 days at 26°C with 14:10 light:dark . Four larval instars with progressively increasing egg consumption: first instar consumed average of 63.2 eggs, second instar 118.4 eggs, third instar 197.4 eggs, and fourth instar 334.2 eggs. Females laid average of 213 eggs per lifetime.
Behavior
Highly specialized searching and feeding focused exclusively on whitefly . to prey follows Holling's type II model. Fourth instar larvae are the most effective predatory stage. show strong plant preference behavior when foraging and ovipositing.
Ecological Role
of Bemisia argentifolii; evaluated as a agent for suppression of silverleaf whitefly in agricultural systems.
Human Relevance
Studied as a potential agent for Bemisia argentifolii, a significant pest of ornamental, fruit, and vegetable crops.
Similar Taxa
- Delphastus catalinaeBoth are coccinellid of Bemisia argentifolii; have been studied together for comparative searching and feeding
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- Mylabris oculatus in South Africa | Beetles In The Bush
- Barking up the right tree for the eyed elater, Alaus oculatus — Bug of the Week
- Gelastocoridae | Beetles In The Bush
- Pop! goes the beetle | Beetles In The Bush
- Life History of Nephaspis oculatus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), a Predator of Bemisia argentifolii (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)
- Life History of the Whitefly Predator Nephaspis oculatus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) at Six Constant Temperatures
- FUCTIONAL RESPONSE AND PLANT PREFERENCE OF NEPHASPIS OCULATUS (COLEOPTERA: COCCINELLIDAE), PREYING ON BEMISIA ARGENTIFOLII (HOMOPTERA: ALEYRODIDM) IN THE LABORATORY
- Searching and Feeding Behavior ofNephaspis oculatusandDelphastus catalinae(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Predators ofBemisia argentifolii(Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)