Entomologia Generalis (2019) 39, 353-363

Muhammad Siddique Khanzada, Su Wang, Ning-Xing Huang, Hong Pang, Xiao-Ling Tan and Shagufta Rani Khanzada (2019)
Optimization of microencapsulated artificial diets for mass rearing of the predacious big eyed bug, Geocoris pallidipennis
Entomologia Generalis 39 (3-4), 353-363
Abstract: Geocoris pallidipennis (Costa, 1843) (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae) is a generalist predator of insect pests and it is used in insect pest biological control. However, there has yet to be established a mass rearing protocol for this predator that using artificial diets, and therefore its field applications are limited. This study was undertaken to optimize the mass rearing of G. pallidipennis employing a microencapsulated artificial diet. We selected four types of ingredients for the diet recipes: insect body, homogenate of Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch, 1856); micronutrient (fish egg) homogenates; nectar source (pure honey and corn pollen); and nutritional supplements, namely soluble L-Tyrosine and yeast extract. We tested 25 combinations of the ingredients using an orthogonal test to establish the most effective factors in the ingredients, and we screened the best five combinations. The results showed that the different ingredients and their combinations significantly influenced various biological traits of G. pallidipennis. Development to sexual maturity was achieved only with five ingredient combinations.
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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.
Geocoris pallidipennis (predator)