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Published by:

Bureau of Plant Industry-

Crop Pest Management Division
Department of Agriculture
692 San Andres Street
Malate, Manila 1004
Philippines

ISBN 978-971-9065-09-8
First Edition, 2021
400 copies
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page No.
LADY BIRD BEETLE (Chilocorus Nigrita) 1

1. Taxonomic Classification 2

2. Biology and Life Cycle 2

3. Significance and Importance 3-4

4. Mass Production Procedure 5-9

5. References 10
 LADYBIRD BEETLE
Chilocorus nigrita

I. TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION

Chilocorus nigrita (Fabricius, 1798) is one of the oriental species of lady beetles. It is
under class Insecta (Coleoptera: Coccinelidae), more generally known in the
literature as Chilocorus nigritus, a common predator of scale insects, especially in the
Superfamily Coccoidea, which includes Diaspididae, Coccidae, Psuedococcidae and
Eriococcidae, etc. which have tremendous damage potential (Omkar and Pervez,
2003).

II. BIOLOGY AND LIFE CYCLE

Adult
Egg Larvae Pupa Beetle

Figure 1. Life cycle of Chilocorus nigrita.

The newly emerged beetle is greyish-buff, turning reddish and finally a shiny-black
with no spots and almost semi-circular in shape. Eggs are oval, yellow to orange in
color and are laid singly. The early first instar hatches out and usually molt thrice to
undergo four larval instars (Ponsonby and Copland, 1996). The larvae are yellow
brown and covered with spines and tubercles. The pupa is formed within the shed
larval skin which is split lengthwise at the mid-dorsal line from the lateral arms of the
epicranial suture to the anterior margin of the sixth abdominal tergite.

The duration of the egg stage, first, second, third and fourth larval instars is 6.1, 3.5,
3.8, 3.8, and 3.8 days, respectively. The prepupal and pupal period lasts for 3 and 8
days, respectively. The longevity of adult beetle is about 28-56 days.

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III. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPORTANCE

Natural Enemy

Chilocorus nigrita primarily feeds on the family Diaspididae, namely: Aspidiotus

destructor (armoured scale) on Cocos Nucifera and Lepidosaphes ulmi (mussel
scale) on Lansium domesticum but also has been reported to feed on whiteflies,
aphids, and psyllids.

This species was chosen as it is conspicuous in the field, oligophagous on

Homoptera, economically highly important and has been mass reared and
disseminated to both climatically suitable and unsuitable areas (Samways, 1984,
1986; Samways and Tate, 1986). These factors together have resulted in a well-
documented record of the beetle’s historical distribution and expansion.

Among predaceous ladybird beetles, species of Chilocorus are voracious feeders,

capable of removing heavy infestations, and thereby increasing the crop yields. Each
beetle can destroy 500 or more scales during its development (De Bach, 1964;
Omkar and Pervez, 2003). Individuals consume 20-40 scale insects per day (Helyer
et al., 2004).

Insect Pest

The coconut scale is considered a major threat to coconut palms throughout the
world. It infests, at high densities, on the under surface of coconut leaves, frond
stalks, flower clusters, and young fruits. The family Diaspididae, also known as
armored scales, is the largest family of scale insects with 2413 currently valid
species. Out of these, 281 species are known to occur in Southeast Asia (Scalenet
year, 2015). All armored scale insects are phytophagous, feeding on plant fluids.

The Philippines experienced scale insect infestations (viz Aspidiotus destructor and
Lepidosaphes ulmi) in coconut and lanzones. These infestations led to devastation of
crops that caused major concern for farmers in affected areas and the Department of
Agriculture. The damage is done through sucking of plant sap. When infestations are
left unmitigated and the pest population increase continuously, the host plants usually
wither and die due to enormous numbers of these pests (Karganilla, 2013).

Prey/associated habitat

Recorded on numerous hosts, mostly diaspine scales, infesting coffee, areca nut,
coconut, citrus, neem, bamboo, mango, castor, eggplant,
sugarcane, mulberry, oleander pant, flowery senna, Thevetia, etc.

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 TABLE 1. REPORTED NATURAL ENEMIES OF Chilocorus nigrita
FROM THE LITERATURE (Samways, 1984)
Pest Species Host plant References
Aleyrodidae
Whitefly Aleurolobus barodensi (Mask). Citrus Kapur 1940
Bemisia tabaci
Cassava Atuncha et al., 2013

Psyllidae
Asian citrus psyllid Citrus Husain & Nath 1927
Diaphorina citri Kuway.

Aphididae
Aphids Legumes Quoted: Stebbing1903;
“Indigo aphid” Aphis sp. Rahman 1940
Brachycaudus (Aphis cardui) (L.) Lefroy 1909

Margarodidae Sea lettuce, citrus, Hill & Blackmore 1980

Seychelles fluted scale jackfruit, guava,
Icerya seychellarum (Westw). mango, pear, palm,
coffee and other
crops and
ornamentals

Pseudococcidae Schilder 1928

Mealybug Coffee Tirumala Rao et
Pseudoccus sp. al.,1954
Planococcus citri (Risso)

Pink-sugar cane mealybug Coffee Dorge et al., 1972

Saccharicoccus (trionymus)
Asterolecaniidae
Pit scale Bamboo Puttarudriah &Channa
Asterole canium sp. Basavana 1955;
Tirumala Rao et al.
1954
Diaspididae
Coconut Scale Insect Coconut Waterhouse & Norris
Aspidiotus destructor (Signoret) 1987
Diaspididae
Mussel Scale Lanzones Helyer et al., 2004
Lepidosaphes ulmi

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IV. MASS PRODUCTION PROCEDURE OF Chilocorus nigrita

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT NEEDED

Hair brush Honey/multivitamins/Vitamin E Solution

Rack/table for infestation Glue sticks
Powder/liquid soap Match
Candle Plastic petri plates
Plastic boxes for egglaying Plastic mesh
70% Rubbing alcohol Atomizer (small)
Cotton Scissor
Glue gun (big) Marker
Paper bag Face mask
Tissue paper

STEP 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF COCONUT SCALE INSECTS REARED ON

SQUASH AS ALTERNATE HOST

1. Get squash infested with matured coconut scale insects to serve as host
for infestation of new squash. Mother stock can be requested from BPI,
selected RCPCs and BPI-Davao National Crop Research and
Development Center or collect CSI-infested coconut leaves.

2. Place the 1-2 month-old CSI-infested squash or tape CSI-infested

coconut leaves onto the dry and healthy squash which has been
disinfected with diluted soap solution. Leave it for 1-3 days or until
sufficient number of crawlers have settled on the surface of the squash.

3. Expose sufficient number of squash to CSI for mass rearing of predator

(20-100 squash a week). For continuous supply, repeat procedures 1-3.

STEP 2. MASS REARING OF Chilocorus WITH CSI

1. Introduce 30-80 adults of Chilocorus nigrita to mature CSI-infested squash

and place them inside a plastic box (16” x 11.5 x 9”) which is screened on
2 sides for ventilation. Smear the plastic oviposition container with a
solution containing 50% honey, 10% multivitamins and 500 mg Vitamin E.
Put label (date and no. of adults upon introduction). Periodically replace
the squash when CSI is already depleted.

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 2. After 10-15 days, the Chilocorus females start laying their eggs. Once
eggs are laid, introduce 1 month old CSI-infested squash every 3-4 days to
ensure that the deposited eggs will not be consumed by Chilocorus adults
and then put them aside for further larval development. Collect all the eggs
clinging onto the screen of the oviposition box and place them on the same
squash where eggs where laid on. Clean the oviposition box first before
introducing another CSI-infested squash for oviposition or change it with a
clean one. Keep on exposing new 1 month old CSI-infested squash every
3 days for continuous egg production for about 1-1.5 months after adult
emergence.

3. Make sure that the Chilocorus larvae will have enough coconut scales to
feed on by periodically replenishing squash with CSI until they become
pupae.

4. Transfer the pupae in the adult emergence cage by harvesting and placing
them in a plastic container or by transferring the whole squash containing
the pupae for emergence.

5. Harvest, count and record the adults from the emergence cabinet and
separate 30-80 of these adults and follow the same rearing procedure
above for continuous production, or release the adults in the field when
needed (40-200/tree). Mature larvae can also be released against the
scale insects.

STEP 3. PRODUCTION CYCLE OF Chilocorus nigrita

A. Production of Aspidiotus destructor F., Coconut scale insect (1-3)

B. Production of Chilocorus nigrita S., Black ladybird beetle (4-7)

1. Introduce a healthy squash to a

coconut scale-infested squash
for 2-3 days

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2. Set aside newly infested squash for
further development.

3. Infested squash is ready for use as

mother stock for CSI production or
for Chilocorus production.

4. Put squash in a plastic box, and

place 30-80 adults for egg laying.
Change squash every 3-4 days.

5. Set aside CSI- infested squash with

Chilocorus eggs/ developing larvae.

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6. Collect/ transfer Chilocorus pupae to
Adult emergence cage

6.1

6.2

7. Harvest Chilocorus adults and use for

continuous rearing or for field release

STEP 4. METHOD OF FIELD APPLICATION

Collect Chilocorus (larvae/adult) in a rearing cage. Place separately in a small brown

paper bag, and fold the opening about 1-2 inches to close, and be ready to transport
them. Upon arrival in the field, disperse the predatory beetles to fruit trees by
hanging the opened bags in the branches or brushing them off to the leaves so they
can move and look for their preys. After 1-2 weeks, assess and monitor the
infestation level if there is need to release additional beetles.

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 Figure 1. SUMMARY OF PRODUCTION PROCESS

A. Production of Aspidiutus destructor, Coconut Scale Insect (CSI)

 Step 1-4

B. Production of Chilocorus nigrita, Ladybird beetle

 Step 5-8

Introduce healthy
Preparation of squash to a coconut Set aside newly infested
materials needed for scale-infested squash squash for further
mass rearing for 2-3 days or pin with development
infested coconut leaves

Remove CSI-infested Place CSI infested Infested squash ready

squash with Chilocorus
eggs from the
oviposition box for
further development
squash in the plastic for use as mother stock
oviposition box and for scale insect
introduce 30-80
production/ for
Chilocorus adults for
egglaying. Chilocorus production

Collect/ transfer Harvest Chilocorus

Chilocorus pupae to adult from the adult For Field release
adult emergence cage emergence cage

Set aside 10% mother

stock for continuous
production

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V. REFERENCES

ANZFTA Economic Cooperation Work Programmes. 2013. Scale insects

(Coccoidea) of southeast Asia diagnostic workshop. Forest Research
Institute of Malaysia. Training module.

BOOTH, R. 1998. A review of the species resembling Chilocorus nigrita

(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae): potential agents for biological control. Bulletin
of Entomological Research, 88 (4), 361-367.doi:10.1017/
S000748300042115

HELYER, N., CATTLIN, N., and BROWN, K., 2004. Biological control in plant
protection. Color Handbook 2nd edition.

KARGANILLA G.P.S, 2013. Scale insect infestations in the Philippines. Crop

Protection Division-Bureau of Plant Industry, Manila Philippines 1004. PPT
presentation.

MICHAEL C., THOMAS and ORLAND J., BLANCHARD Jr., 2013. Ladybird
beetles recent immigrants to florida (Insecta: Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).

OMCAR and A PERVEZ. 2003. Ecology and biocontrol potential of a

scale-predator, Chlocorus nigritus. Biocontrol Science and Technology,
13:4, 379-390.

PONSONBY, D.J. 2009. Factors affecting utility of Chilocorus nigritus (F.)

(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) as a biocontrol agent. CAB Reviews:
Perspective in Agriculture, Veterinary, Science, Nutrition and Natural
Resources 2009 4, No. 046

SAMWAYS, M. J. 1989. Climate diagrams and biological control: an example

from the areography of the ladybird Chilocorus nigritus (Fabricius, 1798)
(Insecta, Coleoptera, Coccinellidae). Journal of Biogeography, 16(4),
345. doi:10.2307/2845226

SAMWAYS, M. J. 1984. Biology and economic value of the scale predator

Chilocorus nigritus (F.) (Coccinellidae). Biocontrol News and Information,
Vol. 5 No. 2

TEAÑO, L., CUNANAN, E., BERMUDEZ L., KARGANILLA, G., & CUATERNO,
W. 2013. Improved mass production of Chilocorus nigrita F. against
various scale insects of agricultural crops.

KWAN HAN https://www.natureloveyou.sg/ Picture accessed on March 8, 2023

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