Podoler, H., Dept. of Entomology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Faculty of Agriculture, Rehovot, Israel
Henen, J., Dept. of Entomology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Faculty of Agriculture, Rehovot, Israel

The searching behavior of two coccinellid beetles of the genus Chilocorus (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera) was compared. The main components of the searching behavior of larvae and adults - speed of search and change of angle before and after successful encounter with hosts - were compared within and between species. Both species (at the larval and adult stages) changed their searching behavior following successful encounter, by increasing the angle and number of turns per unit of time. These changes were coupled with reductions in the speed of locomotion. The intensity of the changes differed significantly between the species. C. bipustulatus demonstrated a stronger response in the degree of change in angle than C. kuwanae. As time elapsed and unsuccessful search continued, the beetles returned to their original pattern of search. Both species allocated an increasing proportion of their time to patches of hosts, in accordance with host density. © 1986, Springer Science + Business Media B.V.. All rights reserved.