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

Abstract

The ladybug Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is an important natural enemy of various pests. The potential of rearing it on 17 different diets was evaluated. The percentage of E. connexa adults was higher when its larvae received only eggs of Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) after freezing for 1 day (92.5%) or combined in artificial diets with honey and water (82.5% to 100.0%). The viability from larvae to adult was 72.5% with eggs of A. kuehniella (after 1 day's freezing) plus an artificial diet based on pet food. No adults of E. connexa were obtained with artificial diets as a standalone food source. The duration of the larval period to adult of this predator was longer, but with low viability, with only A. kuehniella eggs (after 6 months' freezing) or with eggs + artificial diets. Eggs of A. kuehniella (after 1 day's freezing) supplied separately or along with artificial diets were more appropriate to rear E. connexa and both diets can be used for mass rearing of this natural enemy.

Biological aspects of Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) fed on different insect pests of maize (Zea mays L.) and sorghum [Sorghum bicolor L. (Moench.)]

“…Eriopis connexa larvae were obtained from the laboratory colony where its adults are fed on Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs frozen for one week plus artificial diet (Table 2) (Silva et al, 2009).…”

“…Larvae of these predators may complete their development with prey that are not aphids but this is poorly studied, although eggs of Coleoptera and Lepidoptera have been used as alternative prey for them (Silva et al, 2009(Silva et al, , 2010(Silva et al, , 2012.…”

“…Polyphagous feeding habits of Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) have been reported (Miller and Paustian, 1992;Miller, 1995;Sarmento et al, 2004Sarmento et al, , 2007Silva et al, 2009), suggesting that this predator can feed on a wide number of insect pests of corn and sorghum, but food availability and sustainability are fundamental for establishing a species in a new area (Eubanks and Denno, 2000;Roger et al, 2000;Soares et al, 2004;Berkvens et al, 2008).…”

Occurrence and biology of Dinocampus coccinellae (Schrank, 1802) (Hymenoptera; Braconidae: Euphorinae) parasitising different species of Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) in Neotropical region

“…After this period, they were removed from the cage and individually placed in a 50 mL plastic cup, covered with a transparent polystyrene lid. Adults were fed with artificial diet (Silva et al, 2009) and eggs of Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller, 1879) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).…”

“…Their preys are species of mites and insects such as: greenflies, aphids, eggs and neonate larvae of Coleoptera and Lepidoptera (Stathas, 2000;Lu et al, 2002;Omkar and Singh, 2006;Silva et al, 2009Silva et al, , 2010.…”