Studies on the summer decline of Chilocorus bipustulatus in Citrus groves of Israel

Controlled photoperiodic and temperature regimens, programmed to simulate summer conditions in the coastal plain of Israel, did not adversely affect the fecundity of Chilocorus bipustulatus nor its energy reserves. Infection by the fungus Hesperomyces virescens (Laboulbeniales) had little effect on the predator's viability. The summer decline of the beetle is tentatively associated with a change in its diet.