Reproduction of the predatory stinkbug Andrallus spinidens (F.) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) on live and frozen prey

Abstract

The ubiquitous generalist predator Andrallus spinidens (F.) is found in North Iran, which is dominantly cultivated with rice plants. Live and frozen larvae of Galleria mellonella L. and Ephestia kuehniella Zeller were offered to A. spinidens in order to assess their effects on reproductive performance. Predators consuming either live or frozen larvae of G. mellonella developed and weighed similarly, but those fed on live or frozen larvae of E. kuehniella had significantly different developmental times and body weights. Predators feeding on live larvae of E. kuehniella weighed more than those fed on corresponding frozen prey. The fecundity and longevity of the predator were affected neither by prey species nor by prey freezing; nevertheless, egg hatchability was mainly affected by prey freezing. Generally, the use of frozen larvae can be recommended when live prey are scarce.

Suitability of different artificial diets for development and survival of stages of the predaceous ladybird beetle Eriopis connexa

“…This shows the necessity of further studies because frozen eggs can be stored to rear predatory insects with reduced costs compared to fresh prey. On the other hand, the freezing period of A. kuehniella eggs affected its nutritive quality (Mohaghegh and Amir-Maafi 2007).…”

“…It is necessary to understand the nutritional and ecological patterns in order to increase the efficiency of entomophagous insects (Mohaghegh and Amir-Maafi 2007;Pervez and Omkar 2004;Simmonds et al 2000;. Knowledge of the biology, behavior and rearing procedures are important to improve the use of predatory insects in biological control programs; the production of adequate natural diets represents a problem to mass rearing Coccinellidae that feed on aphids (Kariluoto 1980;Kariluoto et al 1976).…”

Development and reproduction of three predatory mites (Acari: Laelapidae and Rhodacaridae) on eggs of Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

“…Eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) are of high nutritional value (richer in protein and amino acid) and have shown to be appropriate factitious food for the mass-rearing and field releases of insect predators, ex: the mirid bugs, Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter), Macrolophus pygmaeus Rambur (Hemiptera: Miridae) (Molla et al, 2014) and the predatory stinkbug, Andrallus spinidens (F) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) (Mohaghegh and Amir-Maafi, 2007).…”

Biology and functional Response of Andrallus spinidens (F) to the rice army worm Spodoptera mauritia (Boisduval)

“…Ebadi and Ghaninia, (2003) studied the mass rearing feasibility of A spinidens in the laboratory on Galleria melonella Linnaeus. Mohaghegh and Amir-Maafi, (2007) further studied the effect of live or frozen larvae of Ephestia kuehniella and Galleria mellonella and found the latter to be more suitable in both forms. In India no work has been undertaken to mass produce this predator.…”