Effects of Three Artificial Diets on Life History Parameters of the Ladybird Beetle , a Predator of Tetranychid Mites.

Background: The ladybird beetle (Mulsant) is an important natural enemy of tetranychid mites and functions as a biological control of these plant pests. The development, survival and reproduction of were studied when fed on three artificial diets. The components of the artificial diet that could be reared successfully on for one generation with no use of tetranychid mites were examined.

Methods: Artificial diets consisted of sucrose, honey, royal jelly, agar, yeast, date palm pollen supplemented in different diets with hen's egg yolk (AD1, as basic diet), Zeller eggs (AD2), or . eggs and 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (AD3).

Results: Adults and larvae of fed on AD1 had a shorter immature development and preoviposition periods than those fed on AD2 and AD3. The total number of deposited eggs was significantly higher for the females fed on AD3 than on the other diets. The intrinsic rate of increase () of was highest on AD3, followed by AD2, and AD1.

Conclusion: performed best on AD3, indicating the potential of this artificial diet for the mass rearing of this important predatory ladybird beetle.