LIFE-CYCLE OF HARMONIA-AXYRIDIS (COL, COCCINELLIDAE) IN ITS AREA OF INTRODUCTION - SOUTH-EASTERN FRANCE

A study of a Chinese ladybird (H. axyridis Pallas) realized in natural conditions in Antibes (South of France) shows that this species is bi voltine : the adults of the 1rst generation are active during summer w hile those of the 2nd one hibernate. The duration of development of th is aphidophagous coccinellid, from oviposition to adults emergence, va ries from two months in April and May to three weeks in August. This l adybird remains in activity from April to October and interrupts its r eproduction when the temperature is low (< 12-degrees-C) and the dayli ght short. According to the results of this study, there is a good pro spect for the introduction of this species in the south-east of France and the elaboration of a method favouring induction of its diapause i n the laboratory.