BioControl (2004) 49, 505-516

Yves Arijs and Patrick De Clercq (2004)
Liver-based artificial diets for the production of Orius laevigatus
BioControl 49 (5), 505-516
Abstract: Different meat- and liver-based artificial diets were designed for the generalist predator Orius laevigatus (Fieber) (Anthocoridae) and their suitability was compared to that of its factitious food, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Pyralidae) eggs. The quality of the food was measured by its ability to promote growth and oviposition of the insect. Nymphal development was slower on artificial diets than on the control food, taking 15.0-15.9 days vs. 14.3 days, respectively. Survival of nymphs fed artificial diets varied from 68.0-92.5%, compared with 96% for those fed E. kuehniella eggs. Adult weights were, however, not affected by diet. Fecundity of females provided with liver diets was similar to or somewhat lower than that of females fed Ephestia eggs. Oviposition rate and egg hatch were similar on all diets tested. The results suggest that beef liver was the most important component of the diets tested, offering the essential nutrients to sustain growth and reproduction of O. laevigatus. Supplementing ingredients, like ground beef, egg yolk, sucrose and vitamin C can improve the nutritional value of the diet for O. laevigatus, but effects are rather small. Artificial diets containing liver and egg yolk as the main components may prove useful to make mass production of O. laevigatus and other heteropteran predators more cost effective.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
rearing/culturing/mass production

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Orius laevigatus (predator)