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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Biological Control of Insects Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #149773

Title: PERFORMANCE OF SEVERAL INSECTS ON A LIQUID OR POWDER FORM OF A ZOOPHYTOGENOUS DIET

Author
item Coudron, Thomas

Submitted to: Arthropod Mass Rearing and Quality Control Workshop
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/14/2003
Publication Date: 7/14/2003
Citation: Coudron, T.A. 2003. Performance of several insects on a liquid or powder form of a zoophytogenous diet [abstract]. Arthropod Mass Rearing and Quality Control Workshop. p. 17.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Cost, performance, presentation and utility of food are critical factors to the success of an insect rearing program. Factitious food sources and artificial diets are commonly used to lower the cost or increase the availability of a food source. However, non-natural food sources may lower the performance of an insect or may pose a challenge for the method used to present the food to the insect. Additionally, different food sources, for each insect species or developmental stage, elevates the cost of maintaining insect colonies. Consequently, the value of a zoophytogenous diet, originally formulated for the beneficial predator, Podisus maculiventris, has increased as our awareness of the competitive costs and utility associated with the diet has extended to include several beneficial and pest insects. Thus far, the zoophytogenous diet has supported the rearing of six beneficial insect and four pest insect species, has a realized cost of rearing that is competitive with natural food for two beneficial predators, and can be presented in liquid, gel or powder form. Currently, research and industry stakeholders are testing the zoophytogenous diet in mass rearing and high through-put bioassay systems.