Performance and Cost Comparisons for Continuous Rearing of Arma chinensis (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Asopinae) on a Zoophytogenous Artificial Diet and a Secondary Prey

Abstract

The impact of a zoophytogenous, insect-free artificial diet and a secondary prey, pupae of Chinese oak silk moth Antheraea pernyi (Guérin-Méneville) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), on the developmental rate, life history parameters, and fertility was examined for F6, F9, and F12 consecutive generations for domesticated Arma chinensis (Fallou) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). This study showed that when fed an insect-free artificial diet during both the nymphal and adult stages, developmental times were prolonged, and fecundity, egg viability, net reproductive rates (R0), and intrinsic rates of increase (rm) declined. As a result, the cost to rear A. chinensis on the artificial diet approached 1.7 times the cost of rearing A. chinensis on pupae of A. pernyi. Future diet improvements should attempt to reduce developmental time, increase fecundity, and egg viability and use less costly nutrient sources.

Performance of Arma chinensis reared on an artificial diet formulated using transcriptomic methods

“…From a perspective of nutrigenomics, nutrients act as dietary signals that are detected by cellular sensors and Table 6. Adult weight (mg), body length (mm), preoviposition (days), total fecundity and longevity (days) of Arma chinensis reared on a former artificial diet (FAD) (Zou, 2013;Zou et al, 2013aZou et al, , 2015 influence gene and protein expression and, subsequently, metabolite production (Müller & Kersten, 2003). The mechanism of action of nutrients is strongly related to their capacity to modulate gene expression.…”

“…However, overall the formulation changes did not result in the level of Table 7. Egg viability, survival and sex ratio of Arma chinensis reared on a former artificial diet (FAD) (Zou et al, 2013a(Zou et al, , 2015 and reformulated diet (RFD) for six generations.…”

“…The longevity of female adults reared on RFD was significantly shorter than for those reared on FAD in F 2 , F 3 , F 4 , Table 5. Egg and nymphal body length (mm) of Arma chinensis reared on a former artificial diet (FAD) (Zou, 2013;Zou et al, 2015) and reformulated diet (RFD) for six generations. Values are mean ± SE.…”

“…Table 8. Cannibalism of eggs and adults of Arma chinensis reared on a former artificial diet (FAD) (Zou et al, 2013a(Zou et al, , 2015 and reformulated diet (RFD) for six generations. Proportion of males cannibalized in the total number of adult pairs (n c ), verified by the empty corpse of the males.…”

Selection and Suitability of an Artificial Diet forTuta absoluta(Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) Based on Physical and Chemical Characteristics

“…The failure to control this pest may have a strong economic impact, and its recent history of introductions has increased the need for studies to develop strategies for its biological control, by the use of natural enemies, mainly the larval parasitoids such as Apanteles gelechiidivoris Marsh ( Bajonero et al 2008 ) or Pseudapanteles dignus (Muesebeck) ( Luna et al 2007 ), and microorganisms such as granulovirus PhopGV ( Mascarin et al 2010 ). For these studies it is necessary the production of large numbers of insects preferably with low costs and high performance ( Zou et al 2015 ). The rearing of T. absoluta in natural diet needs extensive manual labor and space to keep plants capable to support a significant pest population ( Cely et al 2010 ).…”