Biological development of Euborellia annulipes reared with artificial diets and Ephestia kuehniella eggs

Abstract

One of the forms of integrated pest management is the rearing of insects using artificial diets. The Euborellia annulipes species has gained prominence for being voracious with its preys, demonstrating a potential for use in biological control programs. This study aimed to evaluate the biological development of the E. annulipes predator fed with artificial diets and E. kuehniella eggs. Newly hatched predator nymphs were separated into an experimental unit consisting of 5 insects, 10 replicates and 7 treatments. The instars duration, nymphal period and viability, postures, number of eggs per posture, period of pre-oviposition and egg incubation and egg viability were evaluated. There was no difference for the periods nymphal, pre-oviposition and incubation of E. annulipes eggs. Oviposition ranged from 23.8 to 73.0 eggs/posture, as a function of diet. Artificial diets based on E. kuehniella eggs can be used for rearing E. annulipes. However, reared eggs fed with rice flour should be avoided, because they reduce oviposition and influence the E. annulipes development.