Effects of sucrose on survival and oviposition of the predacious insects Stethorus japonicus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Oligota kashmirica benefica (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), and Scolothrips takahashii (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Abstract

The effects of sucrose on the survival and oviposition of predacious insects Stethorus japonicus, Oligota kashmirica benefica, and Scolothrips takahashii, under no-prey conditions, were investigated. In all three predacious insect species, adult females fed on sucrose under no-prey conditions survived significantly longer than those on only water. In addition, in S. japonicus and O. kashmirica benefica, females fed sucrose under no-prey conditions recommenced oviposition significantly earlier and required fewer spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) eggs to recommence after re-feeding on T. urticae eggs than those on only water. On the other hand, in S. takahashii, even females supplied only with water under no-prey conditions recommenced oviposition immediately after re-feeding on T. urticae eggs. Thus, sucrose had no significant effects on the recommencement of oviposition. These results suggested that sucrose was effective to maintain the populations of these predacious insect species even under no-prey conditions.