Development of Myrmeleon brasiliensis (Navás) (Neuroptera, Myrmeleontidae), in laboratory, with different natural diets

Abstract

Antlions larvae are sit-and-wait predators that capture arthropod prey in conical sand pits. The aim of this paper were to determine the effect of different natural diets [leaf-cutting ants (Atta spp.), fruit fly larvae (Anastrepha spp. and Ceratitis capitata) and mixed diet (Atta spp. plus fruit fly larvae)] on the development of larvae and pupae of M. brasiliensis (Navás, 1914) and to estimate the number and size of prey caught in each instar and on each kind of diet. The average duration (days) of the second and third instars of M. brasiliensis was longer when larvae of antlion were fed with leaf-cutting ants. The diets did not affect the duration of the pupal stage nor the pupae size. The different diets did not affect the mean width of head capsule (mm), the mean weight (mg) or the mean body size (mm) in the different instars of M. brasiliensis. In the second and third instars, the larvae of M. brasiliensis fed with leaf-cutting ants consumed more prey than larvae kept on other diets. Adults whose larvae were fed fruit fly larvae were larger than adults on other diets. Although Myrmeleontidae are few studied in Brazil, these results contribute to knowledge of M. brasiliensis biology, but also suggest the need of studies about the development of larvae and pupae in natural environments.

Effect of energetic cost to maintain the trap for Myrmeleon brasiliensis (Neuroptera, Myrmeleontidae) in its development and adult size

“…At the same time, smaller energy savings may have afforded a more rapid metamorphosis, as the emerging adults in this situation (of constant disturbance) were smaller. Missirian et al, (2006) observed that although the size of adult M. brasiliensis may be affected by diet quality, the pupal development time did not change.…”

“…Data from Eltz (1997) suggest that the process of change in Myrmeleon mobilis Hagen, 1888 can be accelerated in individuals that are well nourished and suffer less disruption to their traps. Missirian et al, (2006) observed that M. brasiliensis fed with a high energy diet also had an accelerated development. In contrast, it is possible that organisms that live in unstable environments show lower growth rates, even when prey are provided.…”

Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritoidea): Biology, Host Plants, Natural Enemies, and the Implications to Their Natural Control

“…(Hymenoptera: Formicidae) (Aluja et al, 2005); the myrmeleontid Myrmeleon brasileiensis (Navás) (Neuroptera) (Missirian et al, 2006); some species rove beetles, probably Belonuchus Nordmann (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), and Carabidae (Coleoptera) (Uchôa, M. A., unpubl.). Galli & Rampazo (1996) listed the carabids Calosoma granulatum Perty, Calleida sp., and Scarites sp., and the staphylinids: Belonuchus haemorrhoidalis (Fabricius), and Belonuchus rufipennis (Fabricius), among the predators of Anastrepha spp.…”

Myrmeleon brasiliensis's Parasitoids (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) in the South Pantanal, Brazil

“…More than 1,500 species in 201 genera and 14 tribes of myrmeleontids are described (Stange 2004).The larvae of Myrmeleon species are generalist predators of arthropods that move along the soil surface. They are known for their foraging behavior: building funnel-shaped traps in friable or sandy soil, under which they wait for prey that falls inside these snares (Napolitano 1998;Missirian et al 2006).…”

“…The pupal stage is completed inside the cocoon. Adult emergence of M. brasiliensis occurs approximately one month after pupation (Arnett & Gotelli 2001;Missirian et al 2006). All species of insects are vulnerable to the attack of natural enemies, which in many cases are important regulators of population density of the host or prey (Hawkins et al 1997).…”