Effects of Rearing Density on Survival, Growth, and Development of the Ladybird Coleomegilla maculata in Culture
Our research focuses on developing techniques to rear ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). We evaluated the effects of rearing density on survival, growth, and development of Coleomegilla maculata. The hypothesis that a low to moderate rearing density has limited or no effects on survival a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2015-10-01
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| Series: | Insects |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/6/4/858 |
| _version_ | 1818518682516586496 |
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| author | Eric W. Riddick Zhixin Wu |
| author_facet | Eric W. Riddick Zhixin Wu |
| author_sort | Eric W. Riddick |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Our research focuses on developing techniques to rear ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). We evaluated the effects of rearing density on survival, growth, and development of Coleomegilla maculata. The hypothesis that a low to moderate rearing density has limited or no effects on survival and development was tested. C. maculata first instars were reared to pupae at a density of 1, 5, 10, 15, or 20 individuals per arena (2.5 cm high, 9.0 cm diameter, and 159 cm3 volume) and fed powdered brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana) eggs. More larvae survived at the 1 and 5 densities, but no differences were detected between the 10, 15, or 20 densities. Median survival rate was at least 90% for larvae and 100% for pupae at the 10, 15, and 20 densities. Development time, body weight, and sex ratio were unaffected by rearing density. Overall, this study suggests that C. maculata larvae can be reared successfully at a density of 20 larvae/159 cm3 (≈ 0.126 larvae/cm3) in containers provisioned with powdered A. franciscana eggs. Scaling-up the size of containers, and C. maculata density in these containers, should be possible. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T01:13:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4bfa8bfa780b441db363079bbcb625db |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T01:13:35Z |
| publishDate | 2015-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj.art-4bfa8bfa780b441db363079bbcb625db2022-12-22T01:25:57ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502015-10-016485886810.3390/insects6040858insects6040858Effects of Rearing Density on Survival, Growth, and Development of the Ladybird Coleomegilla maculata in CultureEric W. Riddick0Zhixin Wu1National Biological Control Laboratory, Jamie Whitten Delta States Research Center, ARS-USDA, Stoneville, MS 38776, USANational Biological Control Laboratory, Jamie Whitten Delta States Research Center, ARS-USDA, Stoneville, MS 38776, USAOur research focuses on developing techniques to rear ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). We evaluated the effects of rearing density on survival, growth, and development of Coleomegilla maculata. The hypothesis that a low to moderate rearing density has limited or no effects on survival and development was tested. C. maculata first instars were reared to pupae at a density of 1, 5, 10, 15, or 20 individuals per arena (2.5 cm high, 9.0 cm diameter, and 159 cm3 volume) and fed powdered brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana) eggs. More larvae survived at the 1 and 5 densities, but no differences were detected between the 10, 15, or 20 densities. Median survival rate was at least 90% for larvae and 100% for pupae at the 10, 15, and 20 densities. Development time, body weight, and sex ratio were unaffected by rearing density. Overall, this study suggests that C. maculata larvae can be reared successfully at a density of 20 larvae/159 cm3 (≈ 0.126 larvae/cm3) in containers provisioned with powdered A. franciscana eggs. Scaling-up the size of containers, and C. maculata density in these containers, should be possible.http://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/6/4/858Coccinellidaebrine shrimplady beetlemass productionpest management |
| spellingShingle | Eric W. Riddick Zhixin Wu Effects of Rearing Density on Survival, Growth, and Development of the Ladybird Coleomegilla maculata in Culture Insects Coccinellidae brine shrimp lady beetle mass production pest management |
| title | Effects of Rearing Density on Survival, Growth, and Development of the Ladybird Coleomegilla maculata in Culture |
| title_full | Effects of Rearing Density on Survival, Growth, and Development of the Ladybird Coleomegilla maculata in Culture |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Rearing Density on Survival, Growth, and Development of the Ladybird Coleomegilla maculata in Culture |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Rearing Density on Survival, Growth, and Development of the Ladybird Coleomegilla maculata in Culture |
| title_short | Effects of Rearing Density on Survival, Growth, and Development of the Ladybird Coleomegilla maculata in Culture |
| title_sort | effects of rearing density on survival growth and development of the ladybird coleomegilla maculata in culture |
| topic | Coccinellidae brine shrimp lady beetle mass production pest management |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/6/4/858 |
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