Effects of Three Artificial Diets on Life History Parameters of the Ladybird Beetle Stethorus gilvifrons, a Predator of Tetranychid Mites

Abstract

Background: The ladybird beetle Stethorus gilvifrons (Mulsant) is an important natural enemy of tetranychid mites and functions as a biological control of these plant pests. The development, survival and reproduction of S. gilvifrons were studied when fed on three artificial diets. The components of the artificial diet that S. gilvifrons could be reared successfully on for one generation with no use of tetranychid mites were examined. Methods: Artificial diets consisted of sucrose, honey, royal jelly, agar, yeast, date palm pollen supplemented in different diets with hen’s egg yolk (AD1, as basic diet), Ephestia kuehniella Zeller eggs (AD2), or E. kuehniella eggs and 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (AD3). Results: Adults and larvae of Stethorusgilvifrons fed on AD1 had a shorter immature development and preoviposition periods than those fed on AD2 and AD3. The total number of deposited eggs was significantly higher for the females fed on AD3 than on the other diets. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) of S. gilvifrons was highest on AD3, followed by AD2, and AD1. Conclusion: Stethorus gilvifrons performed best on AD3, indicating the potential of this artificial diet for the mass rearing of this important predatory ladybird beetle.

Evaluation of Artemia franciscana Cysts to Improve Diets for Mass Rearing Stethorus gilvifrons, a Predator of Tetranychus turkestani

“…kuehniella , hen’s egg yolk, and 2,4-DHBA diet, the S . gilvifrons total fecundity, R o , and GRR were 42.09 eggs per female, 16.30, and 32.38, respectively [ 23 ]. When fed a E .…”

“…As described in a previous study [ 23 ], an age-stage, two-sex life table procedure [ 30 ] was used to analyze the data in response to the development rate among the individuals and stages of development in the diet treatments. Population growth parameters such as the net reproductive rate ( R o ), gross reproductive rate ( GRR ), intrinsic rate of natural increase ( r ), finite rate of increase ( λ ), mean generation time ( T ), and doubling time ( DT ) were calculated using the TWOSEX-MSChart program [ 31 ].…”

“…kuehniella eggs [ 23 ]. The addition of 2,4-dihydroxybenzioc acid, a potential oviposition stimulant, to this diet significantly improved the reproductive output [ 23 ].…”

“…Factitious diets containing eggs of the Mediterranean flour moth Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and date palm Phoenix dactylifera L. (Arecales: Arecaceae) pollen supported the development and limited reproduction of S. gilvifrons in lieu of T. turkestani [22]. In a follow-up study, S. gilvifrons was successfully reared on an artificial diet based on vertebrate protein, hen's egg yolk, and E. kuehniella eggs [23]. The addition of 2,4-dihydroxybenzioc acid, a potential oviposition stimulant, to this diet significantly improved the reproductive output [23].…”

“…In a follow-up study, S. gilvifrons was successfully reared on an artificial diet based on vertebrate protein, hen's egg yolk, and E. kuehniella eggs [23]. The addition of 2,4-dihydroxybenzioc acid, a potential oviposition stimulant, to this diet significantly improved the reproductive output [23].…”