The functional response in terms of prey consumption and numerical response in terms of number of eggs laid by individual female adult predators of Coccinella transversalis Fab. and Cheilomenes (Menochilus) sexmaculatus Fab. (Coccnellidae: Coleoptera) at varied prey (Aphis gossypii Glover) (Aphididae: Homoptera) densities were investigated under laboratory conditions. The feeding rate by individual predators increased at increased prey densities, with both the coccinellids showing the Type II functional response. One hundred percent prey consumption was observed up to an initial prey density of 50 and 20 for Co. transversalis and Ch: sexmaculatus respectively. The fecundity of Co. transversalis increased at higher prey densities, but that of Ch. sexmaculatus remained unchanged.

The searching behaviour of two coccinellid predators, Coccinella transversalis Fab. and Cheilomenes (Menochilus) sexmaculatus Fab. at different hunger levels and larval stage was studied on eggplant infested with Aphis gossypii Glov. Females of both predators required more prey to return to a state of complete satiation. As the period of starvation increased, more aphids were consumed by both the beetles, reaching a maximum at 24 h starvation. In first, second, third and fourth instars of both the predators, the searching time and the number of eggplant leaf veins visited increased with increasing hunger levels. A high positive correlation between searching time and hunger level of tested predators was obtained.