Effect of different diets on some biological parameters of Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Chrysoperla carnea is a voracious predator. It is currently mass-reared and released for biological control programs. This study was aimed at finding out the effect of different diets on biological characteristics of adult predator, and to introduce a better and cheaper artificial diet for its mass-rearing. In order to obtain a pure and physiologically homogenous population, the predator was reared for seven successive generations in laboratory conditions. The effect of six different diets [a mixture of ۳۰% concentrations of glucose, fructose and sucrose (۱: ۱: ۱);, glucose, fructose, sucrose plus extract of Sitotroga cerealella eggs (۱: ۱); glucose, fructose, sucrose plus extract of Anagasta kuehniella eggs (۱: ۱);, a mixture of honey, yeast and distilled water (۱: ۱: ۱);, honey, yeast plus extract of S. cerealella eggs (۱: ۱: ۱) and honey, yeast plus extract of A. kuehniella eggs (۱: ۱: ۱)] was studied on biological parameters (Pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition period,longevity of males and females, fecundity, egg hatchability and eggs remained in the ovary of females after death) of the seventh generation. Experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions (۲۵ ± ۲ºC, ۶۰ ± ۱۰% RH and ۱۶L: ۸Dh) with four replications and five observations. Results revealed that the mixture of honey, yeast and extract of A. kuehniella eggs (۱: ۱: ۱), influenced the biological traits of the predator more effectively and favorably than all other diets, considering the average longevity, oviposition period and fecundity of female (۳۷.۷۳ ± ۰.۵۹, ۲۸.۵۷ ± ۱.۰۹ days, ۷۹۵.۰ ± ۲۳.۰۵ eggs, respectively), and egg hatchability (۸۴.۹۸ ± ۰.۷۱ %) compared to those of other diet treatments. Minimum pre-oviposition period (۶.۶۶ ± ۰.۴۹ days) was also found in adults fed by this diet.

Keywords:

Diet , Chrysoperla carnea , biological parameters , Extract , Anagasta kuehniella , Sitotroga cerealella