increase its egg production accordingly. With a total life cycle from egg to adult only

taking around 44 days (Smith and Cave 2006b), it is conceivable that 5-6 generations

could be produced every year in Florida. Cybocephalus nipponicus is available

commercially in the U.S. market.

 Rhyzobius lophanthae is an exceptional biological control agent because of its high

fecundity, lack of parasitoids, the absence of diapause, and resistance to low temperatures

especially in the immature stages (Rubstov 1952; Smirnoff 1950; Stathas 2000). Female

R. lophanthae are able to lay hundreds of eggs in a lifetime (Stathas 2000). Rhyzobius

lophanthae also seems to be able to resist extreme heat. Atkinson (1983) found that adult

R. lophanthae could not survive for long at 420 C. Rhyzobius lophanthae is also available

commercially in the U.S. market.

 This study was conducted to determine the susceptibility of C. nipponicus and R.

lophanthae to six pesticides commonly used in the control of CAS. Given the established

presence of both predators on cycads in south Florida and their commercial availability, it

is very important to learn what effects the commonly used pesticides against CAS will

have on them. This information is vital for development of IPM programs aimed at

controlling CAS.

 Materials and Methods

Insects

 Adult R. lophanthae were reared at and purchased from Rincon-Vitova Insectaries

(Ventura, California). Adult C. nipponicus were also purchased from Rincon-Vitova but

were reared by Philip Alampi Beneficial Insect Laboratory, New Jersey Department of

Agriculture. Both beetle species were maintained in Plexiglas cages at 250 C prior to

testing. All life stages of CAS were provided as a food source.