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Evaluation of artificial diets and two species of natural prey as laboratory food for Chilocorus spp
Author(s) -
Hattingh Vaughan,
Samways Michael J.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
entomologia experimentalis et applicata
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.765
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1570-7458
pISSN - 0013-8703
DOI - 10.1111/j.1570-7458.1993.tb01723.x
Subject(s) - biology , predation , coccinellidae , larva , economic shortage , biological pest control , natural food , botany , ecology , food science , predator , linguistics , philosophy , government (linguistics)
Promising diets were screened and the most successful modified with additives used in artificial diets for other entomophagous insects. Two suitable diets were obtained, one for adults and one for larvae of Chilocorus nigritus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). They were still inferior to natural prey and not adequate as the sole food source for rearing consecutive generations. They are valuable as substitute food in the insectary during shortages of natural prey. Oleander scale Aspidiotus nerii Bouché and Asterolecanium miliaris (Boisduval) were evaluated as natural prey for C. nigritus and two other potential biocontrol agents in southern Africa, C. bipustulatus (Linnaeus) and C. infernalis Mulsant. A. nerii and A. miliaris were suitable for all life stages of C. nigritus and adults of C. bipustulatus and C. infernalis. A. miliaris was inadequate for larvae of C. bipustulatus and C. infernalis.