LAUSR

Abstract Due to the recent entrance of Harmonia axyridis to Iran necessitates elucidating the survival, development, and predation rate of the predator more fully. Therefore, the age-stage, two-sex life table and the stage-specific predation rate models were used to verify its potential as a biological control agent of Aphis gossypii. The life cycle lasted 92.33 days and the fecundity was 1375.79 eggs per female. The intrinsic rate of increase, net reproductive rate, mean generation time and finite rate of increase were 0.151 day−1, 642.033 female offspring, 42.671 days, and 1.161 day−1, respectively. Females and males consumed an average of 16570.57 and 10586.00 aphid nymphs, respectively. Net feeding and transformation rates were 13290.10 and 20.70 aphid nymphs, respectively. These findings compared to similar studies showed that this lady bird, H. axyridis which recently invaded Iran is highly capable to control A. gossypii.