[No Title Available]

Abstract

Rearing Techniques of Diabrotica speciosa (Germar) (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae) on Natural and Artificial Diets ABSTRACT -Studies viewing the improvement of the rearing methodology of Diabrotica speciosa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in laboratory were carried out. Larval development was compared in three rearing methods, two of which with natural diet using corn seedlings kept on vermiculite or on germination paper sheets and a third system using artificial diet. The following biological parameters were evaluated: duration and viability of the larva-adult period; weight of newly emerged adults (male and female); duration of pre-oviposition and oviposition periods; male and female longevity and fecundity. The development of the insect under different larval densities (100, 200, 400 and 600 larvae), using the same amount of natural diet, (corn seedlings) was also evaluated. When the insects were reared on corn kept in wet vermiculite the viability of the larva-adult period was higher than when corn was kept on wet paper sheet; the opposite was observed with the length of the developmental period. Females reared in artificial diet had lesser pre-oviposition and oviposition periods and laid less eggs than those reared in natural diet. The increase in the larval density extended the duration of the immature phases, decreased the viability of the larva-adult period and reduced the weight of adults. The rearing technique of D. speciosa using natural diet in vermiculite provided a large amount of insects, with a significant reduction in labor and laboratory space.

Occurrence and feeding preference of Diabrotica speciosa Germar and Cerotoma arcuata (Olivier) for different cultivars of cowpea Vigna unguiculata (Linnaeus) Walpers

“…The number of specimens captured were recorded and then kept in laboratory cages at 25 ± 1 ºC and for 12 h photoperiod. Beetles were fed with 10% honey solution, carrot slice and bean leaflets (Ávila et al 2000;Teodoro et al 2014) for about 30 days to avoid feeding habit with cowpea cultivars to be tested.…”

“…Occurrence and feeding preference of Diabrotica speciosa Germar … de Souza & Pachoute (2019) Cowpea bean is commonly cultivated by small producers and represents a good source of income (Freire Filho 2011). However, insect pests, such as beetles Diabrotica speciosa Germar and Cerotoma arcuata (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), are one of the leading causes that limit cowpea productivity (Anteparra & Velásquez 2014). The adults of these insects cause defoliation throughout the crop cycle as well as reduce the photosynthetic activity (Gassen 1989).…”

The life cycle of Neotropical ground beetle, Abaris basistriata (Coleoptera: Carabidae) reared on different substrates

“…Moreover, larval development requires very specific conditions, mainly related to the structure of the substrate on which they are reared (Petersen, 1998). Several studies have demonstrated the importance of substrate choice for insect breeding in the laboratory (Van Dijk and Den Boer, 1992;Huk and Kühne, 1999;Ávila et al, 2000). According to Lundgren et al (2005), some substrates do not adequately retain water, which affects larval development and the stages larval.…”