Benefits and limitations of factitious prey and artificial diets on life parameters of predatory beetles, bugs, and lacewings: a mini-review

Abstract

The primary peer-reviewed literature pertaining to rearing of predatory beetles, true bugs, and lacewings was reviewed and synthesized. This study focused on the literature published from 1998 to 2007. Advances in rearing were revealed in relation to the influence of factitious prey and artificial diets on predator life parameters. Eggs of the Angoumois grain moth and Mediterranean flour moth were factitious prey that supported the development and reproduction of many species in lieu of natural prey. Artificial diets based on vertebrate protein were generally inferior to factitious prey for production of predators. A few exceptional cases demonstrated potential for continuous rearing of true bugs and lacewings on artificial diet, as a stand-alone food source. Factors that could ensure progressive rearing success might involve (1) exploiting the highly polyphagous nature of certain species, (2) exposing predators to artificial diet for multiple generations to incite adaptation, (3) formulating artificial diets to match the texture and chemical composition of preferred natural prey, and (4) encasing the diet within Parafilm Ò to resemble the shape of natural prey. Encasement may also reduce desiccation and retard spoilage of the diet. Identification of other factitious prey and development of artificial diets that ensure production of predators of high quality should be possible. This review was conducted, for the most part, in support of generalist insect predators used, or having the potential to be used, in augmentative biological control of pests on plants in semi-closed systems, such as greenhouses and interiorscapes.

Development and reproduction of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii on artificial diets

“…The availability of an effective artificial diet for phytoseiids could eliminate many of the problems associated with their mass rearing (Kennett and Hamai 1980). Whereas a good body of literature exists on artificial diets for insect predators (Thompson 1999;Riddick 2009), relatively few studies have focused on the development of artificial diets for phytoseiid mites. McMurtry and Scriven (1966) tested several diets for four phytoseiid species: Amblyseius limonicus Garman and McGregor, Amblyseius hibisci (Chant), Typhlodromus occidentalis Nesbitt, and Typhlodromus rickeri Chant.…”

Development and reproduction of Adalia bipunctata on factitious and artificial foods

“…Therefore, the development of a nutritionally adequate artificial diet could lower the dependency on E. kuehniella eggs and as such decrease the production cost for A. bipunctata and enhance its implementation as a biological control agent. Riddick (2009) reviewed the artificial rearing of predatory beetles, lacewings and heteropterans. For aphidophagous coccinellids several attempts have been made to develop artificial diets, with variable success.…”

Performance of Five Species of Phytoseiid Mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on Bactrocera zonata Eggs (Diptera: Tephritidae) as a Factitious Food

“…One way of facilitating this is reducing the costs associated with rearing natural enemies by using factitious (i.e. unnatural) foods (Riddick, 2009). Costs may be further reduced when natural enemies can be produced on unnatural or factitious hosts that are easier and less expensive to rear than the natural host (De Clercq, 2004).…”

“…Factitious prey may comprise live, frozen, irradiated, or lyophilized insects, mites and crustaceans. Many lepidopterans can be reared effectively on diets that are devoid of living plant material (Riddick, 2009). Several species can be produced simply on relatively cheap food, such as wheat flour or grains.…”