Effects of three artificial diets on life history parameters of the ladybird beetle Stethorus gilvifrons, a predator of tetranychid mites

Authors: EBRAHIMIFAR, JAFAR - Shahid Chamran University Of Ahvaz; SHISHEHBOR, PARVIZ - Shahid Chamran University Of Ahvaz; RASEKH, ARASH - Shahid Chamran University Of Ahvaz; HEMMATI, SEYED - Shahid Chamran University Of Ahvaz; Riddick, Eric

Submitted to: Insects
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/26/2020
Publication Date: 9/1/2020
Citation: Ebrahimifar, J., Shishehbor, P., Rasekh, A., Hemmati, S.A., Riddick, E.W. 2020. Effects of three artificial diets on life history parameters of the ladybird beetle Stethorus gilvifrons, a predator of tetranychid mites. Insects. 11:1-9. 10.3390/insects11090579.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11090579

Interpretive Summary: Ladybird beetles in the genus Stethorus are important specialist predators of tetranychid spider mites throughout the world. Discovery and utilization of cost-effective artificial diets to mass produce Stethorus species, including Stethorus gilvifrons, are crucial to releasing enough beetles for biological control of spider mites, e.g., Tetranychus turkestani, in Iran. The basic artificial diet (consisting of sucrose, honey, royal jelly, agar, yeast, date palm pollen supplemented with hen’s egg yolk) supported the development of S. gilvifrons to the adult stage, for one generation. The intrinsic rate of increase of S. gilvifrons was greatest for the basic diet supplemented with Ephestia moth eggs and an oviposition stimulant, suggesting that this diet could be used for mass rearing of this important predator. This research also suggests that S. gilvifrons has the potential to be reared on a diet devoid of tetranychid mites.

Technical 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. Development, survival and reproduction of S. gilvifrons were studied when fed on three artificial diets. The hypothesis that S. gilvifrons could be reared successfully for one generation on diets devoid of tetranychid mites was tested. 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) were added. Results: Adults and larvae of Stethorus gilvifrons fed on AD1 had shorter immature development and preoviposition periods than those fed on AD2 and AD3. The total number of deposited eggs was significantly higher for 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 preformed best on AD3 indicating the potential of this artificial diet for mass rearing of this economically important predatory ladybird.