Effect of Prey Species and Prey Densities on the Performance of Adult <i>Coenosia attenuata</i>
Deyu Zou,
Thomas A. Coudron,
Lisheng Zhang,
Weihong Xu,
Jingyang Xu,
Mengqing Wang,
Xuezhuang Xiao,
Huihui Wu
Affiliations
Deyu Zou
Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory, Institute of Plant Protection, Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Tianjin 300384, China
Thomas A. Coudron
Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory, USDA–Agricultural Research Service, Columbia, MO 65203, USA
Lisheng Zhang
Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
Weihong Xu
Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory, Institute of Plant Protection, Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Tianjin 300384, China
Jingyang Xu
Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory, Institute of Plant Protection, Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Tianjin 300384, China
Mengqing Wang
Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
Xuezhuang Xiao
College of Horticulture and Landscape, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin 300392, China
Huihui Wu
College of Horticulture and Landscape, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin 300392, China
Mass production of Coenosia attenuata Stein at low cost is very important for their use as a biological control agent. The present study reports the performance of C. attenuata adults when reared on Drosophila melanogaster Meigen or Bradysia impatiens (Johannsem). Different densities (6, 9, 15, 24 and 36 adults per predator) of D. melanogaster or (6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 adults per predator) of B. impatiens were used at 26 ± 1 °C, 14:10 (L:D) and 70 ± 5% RH. The results concluded that C. attenuata adults had higher fecundity, longer longevity and less wing damage when reared on B. impatiens adults compared to D. melanogaster adults. Additionally, C. attenuata adults demonstrated greater difficulty catching and carrying heavier D. melanogaster adults than lighter B. impatiens adults. In this case, 12 to 24 adults of B. impatiens daily per predator were considered optimal prey density in the mass rearing of adult C. attenuata.
