author(s)
Syed Shahzad Ali, Abdul Ghaffar Khoso, Syed Suhail Ahmed, Huma Rizwana, Paras Mureed, Sumbul Mureed, Syed Shaharyar Ali and Wazhar Pussio

abstract
Study was carried out on Feeding potential of Zigzag beetle on sucking insect pests of brinjal. Observations on the fecundity, fertility, adult emergence, longevity and mortality were recorded. The results indicated that average pre-copulation, copulation and post-copulation periods were higher on aphid compared to whiteflies and thrips, whereas on thrips were most least. Oviposition & post-oviposition periods showed quite similar pattern i.e. higher on aphids and most least on thrips. The mean fecundity/female was extended on aphids compared to whiteflies and thrips while, maximum incubation period showed the same pattern. The results further revealed that the percent male emergence of Zigzag beetle was most least (36%) on thrips and highest on aphids (50%) and female emergence was highest (70 %) on aphids and most least (40%) on thrips. The average life span and feeding potential of male and female on aphids was highest on aphids compared to whiteflies and thrips which showed that aphids were most preferred food and thrips was least preferred prey for male adults of M. sexmaculatus. All larval instars showed similar pattern whereas, 3^rd and 4^th instars were found more voracious than other instars. Overall data shows that female adults lived longer and consumed more sucking pests of brinjal than male adults of M. sexmaculatus. Whereas, The average feeding potential of female was more compared to male adults.