Abstract
Mallada basalis (Walker) has the potential to be a valuable biological control agent because of its predatory abilities, strong reproductive capacity, and broad prey range. This study aimed to improve on a previously used artificial diet for M. basalis, to achieve a longer oviposition period and greater survival rate and fecundity. We analyzed the development, survival, longevity, and reproduction of M. basalis (F1 and F2 generations) fed two artificial diets (AD1 and AD2). Both diets contained chicken egg yolk, beer yeast powder, honey, trehalose, seawater spirulina, and potassium sorbate. AD1 also contained sucrose and vitamin C. The duration of F1 1st larvae, F1 2nd larvae, F1 pupae, F2 egg, and F2 2nd larvae reared on AD1 were significantly shorter than those reared on AD2. F1 adult longevity and F2 oviposition period for AD1 (45.40 d and 31.00 d) were significantly longer than for AD2 (30.74 d and 20.80 d). All the following were significantly greater for AD1 compared with AD2: F1 female proportion, F1 daily oviposition, F1 female oviposition, F2 daily oviposition, F2 female oviposition, F1 emergence rate, F2 pupation rate, and F3 egg hatching rate. Moreover, for M. basalis fed AD2, the duration of F2 2nd and 3rd larvae (9.00 d and 8.64 d) were significantly longer than for F1 (4.70 d and 4.92 d). The F1 oviposition period (31.57 d) was significantly longer than F2 (20.80 d). The F2 female oviposition (189.20 egg/female) was significantly less than F1 (307.14 egg/female). We found that the oviposition period and female longevity of F1 reared on AD1 was longer than that reared on the artificial diet in a previous study. The daily oviposition and female oviposition of F1 from AD1 was larger, while the F2 egg hatching rate was greater compared with that from the previous diet. However, the offspring of M. basalis fed AD2 were less thrifty. We found diet AD1 supported development and reproduction better than AD2 and the diets in our previous study. These findings may contribute to the mass rearing of this economically important predatory green lacewing.
Highlights
Green lacewings (Insecta: Neuroptera) are important predators; 1350 species of 86 genera are known worldwide
Previous investigations suggest its potential as a biological control agent against several species of pests, including Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, Aphis spp., Nipaecoccus filamentosus (Cockerell), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, and Panonychus citri on citrus; Aphis gossypii Glover on sweet pepper; Tetranychus urticae Koch and Tetranychus kanzawai on strawberry; Planococcus citri on Indian jujube; and Icerya aegyptiaca (Douglas) on several tree species [6, 9,10]
The C. cephalonica eggs, which had been laid by females reared on rice bran, were irradiated with ultraviolet light for 30 min to kill the embryos before being offered as food for the M. basalis larvae [21]
Summary
Green lacewings (Insecta: Neuroptera) are important predators; 1350 species of 86 genera are known worldwide. Mallada basalis (Walker) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is a common predator of natural fauna in agricultural fields in Hainan, Guangdong, and Taiwan, China [5,6,7]. The larvae of this lacewing are general predators, whereas the adults feed on nectar, honeydew, and pollen [8]. Previous investigations suggest its potential as a biological control agent against several species of pests, including Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, Aphis spp., Nipaecoccus filamentosus (Cockerell), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, and Panonychus citri on citrus; Aphis gossypii Glover on sweet pepper; Tetranychus urticae Koch and Tetranychus kanzawai on strawberry; Planococcus citri on Indian jujube; and Icerya aegyptiaca (Douglas) on several tree species [6, 9,10] They are successful predators, have strong reproductive capacity [6,7, 11]. Research has demonstrated that M. basalis has some tolerance to selected insecticides, fungicides, and acaricides [12, 13]
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