Basic HTML Version
Molecular Entomology
2
has been used as factitious prey by some commercial
insectaries to produce generalist predators including
coleopterans (e.g., lady beetles), and neuropterans
(e.g., lacewings) (Cranshaw et al., 1996; van Lenteren,
2003). Artificial diets must ensure two fundamental
factors: the nutritional requirements of predators and
the reproductive ability with high quality (Cohen,
2004). Also, there are some biological parameters
such as developmental time, survival rate, oviposition
rate (i.e., fecundity), oogenesis rate, longevity, and
predation potential and body size (weight or length),
that are important parameters to gauge the impact (i.e.,
potential benefit) of factitious prey or an artificial diet
for predator mass rearing. These parameters are used
to estimate the quality of commercially-produced
predators (Penn et al., 1998; Grenier and DeClercq,
2003; van Lenteren et al., 2003a; Callebaut et al.,
2004). The eggs of the Mediterranean flour moth,
Anagasta kuehniella
(Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae),
as factitious prey were tested to show the suitability to
mass rearing of natural enemies (Hamasaki and
Matsui, 2006). Prepupae of the alfalfa leaf cutting bee
(
Megachilero tundata
Fabricius (Hymenoptera:
Megachilidae), a factitious prey could be suitable diet
for the larval stages of
C. carnea
(Uddin et al., 2005).
A. kuehniella
eggs are one of the most favorable
factitious preys to culture larvae stages of another
Chrysopid,
Dichochrysa prasina
(Burmeister)
(Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) which cause high survival
rates and shortened developmental times (Pappas et al.,
2007). However, the next important step in
cost-effective rearing of predators includes the
utilization of an artificial diet that eliminates the use
of the prey. There are three classifications of
artificial diets, based on the degree; holidic diets, in
which all constituents are known in chemical (i.e.,
molecular) structure, meridic diets, in which most of
the constituents are known chemically, and oligidic
diets, in which few of the constituents are known
chemically (Dougherty, 1959). Using of artificial
diets for mass rearing of
C. carnea
is generally based
on holidicand meridic method (Dougherty, 1959).
There are worldwide presented works on biological
parameters of
C. carnea
which fed on factitious and
artificial diets (Zaki, 1999; Singh and Varna, 1989;
Tauber et al., 1973). Eggs of
A. kuehniella
and
Sitotroga cerealella
(Olivier) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)
are the most commonly used preys to mass rearing
of Chrysoperla species in insectariums. Production
and storage methods are well established for these
prey species (Lόpez-Arroyo et al., 1999). These
preys sub serve rapid growth and development, high
fecundity and good survival in commercially
produced
C. carnea
(Lόpez-Arroyo et al., 1999).
Choi et al., (2000) reported the successfully feeding
of
Chrysopa pallens
(Rambur) on artificial diet
containing lyophilized beef liver, silkworm pupae
powder (1%). Lee and Lee (2005) was reared
C.
pallens
on artificial diet and evaluated biological
parameters. Zaki et al., (2001) demonstrated that
C.
carnea
reared on semi-artificial diet based on the
algae,
Chlorella vulgaris
(Beyerinck) (Chlorellales:
Chlorellaceae). Sattar et al., (2007) studied
biological parameters of
C. carnea
on artificial diets
(consists of different concentration of Ground beef,
Ground beef liver, powder hen eggs, Sucrose (sugar),
Honey, Brewer’s yeast, Propionate, Potassium
sorbet, Streptomycin, Sulphate, Chlortetracycline,
Agar, Distilled water, Acetic acid, and Vitamin
solution) which were included brewer's yeast and
vitamin solution. Ulhaq et al., (2006) surveyed the
effects of Hen's egg derivatives on the biology of
adult’s
C. carnea
and compared them with standard
diet (including sugar, yeast extract, honey, distilled
water, and casein). Present study evaluated the
potential benefits of two new artificial and semi
artificial diets in comparing with a factitious prey
(
A. kuehniella
eggs) for mass rearing of
C. carnea
according to some important biological parameters
in laboratory condition.
1 Materials and Methods
1.1 Rearing of predator
C. carnea
adults were originally collected from the
experimental source of Tehran University Lab.
(Pakdasht, Tehran, Iran). They were maintained on
polyester cylinder tubes that inside spreads with scalar
papers and spout covered with mesh. All cultures were
kept in laboratory condition 25 ± 5
℃
, 60±5% RH and
photoperiod of 16:8 (L: D). The adults were fed
drop-likely with artificial diet on plastic board (3×15 cm).
Eggs were collected daily by razor blade and
Molecular Entomology