A new rearing method using carrots as food for the brown-marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Abstract

In order to improve the rearing efficiency of Halyomorpha halys, I developed a new rearing method using carrots with a peanut-soybean diet. Nymphs were reared under one of three food conditions, as follows: FC-A, raw peanuts and dry soybean seeds (a conventional rearing method); FC-B, carrot flesh only; and FC-C, carrot flesh, raw peanuts and dry soybean seeds. The adult emergence ratio of nymphs on FC-C was significantly higher than on FC-A, and was as high as on FC-B. The developmental period of nymphs fed FC-C was not significantly different from that of those fed FC-A, and was significantly shorter than those fed FC-B. The body size of adults fed FC-C was significantly greater than that fed FC-A, but that fed FC-B was significantly inferior to that of FC-A. The nutritional status of adults fed FC-C was not significantly different from that of those fed FC-A, and was significantly greater than those fed FC-B. The survival period and the number of eggs deposited by females fed FC-C were not significantly different from those fed FC-A, and were significantly greater than those fed FC-B. These results suggest that adding carrots to a peanutsoybean diet significantly improves the rearing of successive generations of H. halys.