Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Potential utilization of Artemia franciscana eggs as food for Coleomegilla maculata

  • Published:
BioControl Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A major hindrance to mass rearing predators for augmentative biological control is the limited availability of inexpensive, alternative foods in lieu of natural prey or target prey. We tested the hypothesis that brine shrimp eggs (Artemia franciscana) are a suitable alternative food that support the development of the predatory ladybird beetle, Coleomegilla maculata. Laboratory bioassays determined the effects of A. franciscana on C. maculata growth, development and reproduction. In comparison to Mediterranean flour moth eggs (Ephestia kuehniella), A. franciscana eggs were suitable for growth and development, but not for reproduction. C. maculata females oviposited less often when fed A. franciscana rather than E. kuehniella. One reason for the low oviposition rate could be less soluble protein in A. franciscana than in E. kuehniella, as determined by biochemical analysis. Further research is needed to identify all deficiencies in A. franciscana and explore the possibility of using supplemental nutrients to counteract them.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agosin M (1978) Functional role of proteins. In: Rockstein M (ed) Biochemistry of insects. Academic Press, New York, USA, pp 93–144

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Arijs Y, De Clercq P (2001) Rearing Orius laevigatus on cysts of the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana. Biol Control 21:79–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atallah YH, Newsom LD (1966) Ecological and nutritional studies on Coleomegilla maculata De Geer (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). I. The development of an artificial diet and a laboratory rearing technique. J Econ Entomol 59:1173–1179

    Google Scholar 

  • Blanco CA, Terán-Vargas AP, Abel CA, Portilla M, Rojas MG, Morales-Ramos JA (2008) Plant host effect on the development of Heliothis virescens (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Environ Entomol 37:1538–1547

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bonte M, Samih MA, De Clercq P (2010) Development and reproduction of Adalia bipunctata on factitious and artificial foods. BioControl 55:485–491

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Callebaut B, van Baal E, Vandekerkhove B, Bolckmans K, De Clercq P (2004) A fecundity test for assessing the quality of Macrolophus caliginosus reared on artificial diets. Parasitica 60:9–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Castañé C, Quero R, Riudavets J (2006) The brine shrimp Artemia sp. as alternative prey for rearing the predatory bug Macrolophus caliginosus. Biol Control 38:405–412

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen AC, Smith LK (1998) A new concept in artificial diets for Chrysoperla rufilabris: the efficacy of solid diets. Biol Control 13:49–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Couture JJ, Servi JS, Lindroth RL (2010) Increased nitrogen availability influences predator-prey interactions by altering host-plant quality. Chemoecology 20:277–284

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • De Clercq P, Arijs Y, van Meir T, van Stappen G, Sorgeloos P, Dewettinck K, Rey M, Grenier S, Febvay G (2005) Nutritional value of brine shrimp cysts as a factitious food for Orius laevigatus (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae). Biocontrol Sci Technol 15:467–479

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Clercq P, Coudron TA, Riddick EW (2014) Production of heteropteran predators. In: Morales-Ramos JA, Rojas MG, Shapiro-Ilan DI (eds) Mass production of beneficial organisms: invertebrates and entomopathogens. Elsevier Inc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, pp 57–100

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Evans EW (2000) Egg production in response to combined alternative foods by the predator Coccinella transversalis. Entomol Exp Appl 94:141–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Evans EW (2009) Lady beetles as predators of insects other than Hemiptera. Biol Control 51:255–267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farag NA, El-Wahab TE, Abdel-Moniem ASH (2011) The influence of some honeybee products as a diet substitute on the different stages of Coccinella undecimpunctata L. in Egypt. Arch Phytopathol Plant Prot 44:253–259

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gordon RD (1985) The Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) of America north of Mexico. J N Y Entomol Soc 93:1–912

    Google Scholar 

  • Groden E, Drummond FA, Casagrande RA, Haynes DL (1990) Coleomegilla maculata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae): its predation upon Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and its incidence in potatoes and surrounding crops. J Econ Entomol 83:1306–1315

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodek I, Evans EW (2012) Food relationships, Ch 8. In: Hodek I, van Emden HF, Honĕk A (eds) Ecology and behaviour of the ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae). Blackwell, UK, pp 141–274

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Jalali MA, Tirry L, De Clercq P (2009) Food consumption and immature growth of Adalia bipunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on a natural prey and a factitious food. Eur J Entomol 106:193–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen K, Mayntz D, Toft S, Clissold FJ, Hunt J, Raubenheimer D, Simpson SJ (2012) Optimal foraging for specific nutrients in predatory beetles. Proc R Soc B 279:2212–2218

    Article  PubMed  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kagata H, Ohgushi T (2007) Carbon-nitrogen stoichiometry in the tritrophic food chain willow, leaf beetle, and predatory lady beetle. Ecol Res 22:671–677

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krafsur ES, Obrycki JJ (2000) Coleomegilla maculata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a species complex. Ann Entomol Soc Am 93:1156–1163

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li Y, Ostrem J, Romeis J, Chen M, Liu X, Hellmich RL, Shelton AM, Peng Y (2011) Development of a tier-1 assay for assessing the toxicity of insecticidal substances against Coleomegilla maculata. Environ Entomol 40:496–502

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lundgren JG (2009a) Relationships of natural enemies and non-prey foods. Progress in biological control, vol 7. Springer, New York, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Lundgren JG (2009b) Nutritional aspects of non-prey foods in the life histories of predaceous Coccinellidae. Biol Control 51:294–305

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lundgren JG, Seagraves MP (2011) Physiological benefits of nectar feeding by a predatory beetle. Biol J Linn Soc 104:661–669

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lundgren JG, Weber DC (2010) Changes in digestive rate of a predatory beetle over its larval stage: implications for dietary breadth. J Insect Physiol 56:431–437

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lundgren JG, Moser SE, Hellmich RL, Seagraves MP (2011) The effects of diet on herbivory by a predaceous lady beetle. Biocontrol Sci Technol 21:71–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mariotti F, Tome D, Mirand PP (2008) Converting nitrogen into protein—beyond 6.25 and Jones’ factors. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 48:177–184

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mayntz D, Raubenheimer D, Salomon M, Toft S, Simpson SJ (2005) Nutrient-specific foraging in invertebrate predators. Science 307:111–113

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Michaud JP (2005) On the assessment of prey suitability in aphidophagous Coccinellidae. Eur J Entomol 102:385–390

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Michaud JP, Jyoti JL (2008) Dietary complementation across life stages in the polyphagous lady beetle Coleomegilla maculata. Entomol Exp Appl 126:40–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Munyaneza J, Obrycki JJ (1998) Development of three populations of Coleomegilla maculata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) feeding on eggs of Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Environ Entomol 27:117–122

    Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen DT, Vangansbeke D, De Clercq P (2014) Artificial and factitious foods support the development and reproduction of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii. Exp Appl Acarol 62:181–194

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Patt JM, Wainright SC, Hamilton GC, Whittinghill D, Bosley K, Dietrick J, Lashomb JH (2003) Assimilation of carbon and nitrogen from pollen and nectar by a predaceous larva and its effects on growth and development. Ecol Entomol 28:717–728

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phoofolo MW, Obrycki JJ (1997) Comparative prey suitability of Ostrinia nubilalis eggs and Acyrthosiphon pisum for Coleomegilla maculata. Biol Control 9:167–172

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pilorget L, Buckner J, Lundgren JG (2010) Sterol limitation in a pollen-fed omnivorous lady beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). J Insect Physiol 56:81–87

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Richards DR, Evans EW (1998) Reproductive responses of aphidophagous lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to nonaphid diets: an example from alfalfa. Ann Entomol Soc Am 91:632–640

    Google Scholar 

  • Riddick EW (2009) Benefits and limitations of factitious prey and artificial diets on life parameters of predatory beetles, bugs, and lacewings: a mini-review. BioControl 54:325–339

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Riddick EW, Barbosa P (1998) Impact of Cry3A-intoxicated Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and pollen on consumption, development, and fecundity of Coleomegilla maculata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Ann Entomol Soc Am 91:303–307

    Google Scholar 

  • Riddick EW, Chen H (2014) Production of coleopteran predators. In: Morales-Ramos JA, Rojas MG, Shapiro-Ilan DI (eds) Invertebrates and entomopathogens: Mass production of beneficial organisms. Elsevier, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, pp 17–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Riddick EW, Wu Z, Rojas MG (2014) Is Tetranychus urticae suitable prey for development and reproduction of naïve Coleomegilla maculata? Insect Sci 21:83–92

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Silva RB, Zanuncio JC, Serrão JE, Lima ER, Figueiredo MLC, Cruz I (2009) Suitability of different artificial diets for development and survival of stages of the predaceous ladybird beetle Eriopis connexa. Phytoparasitica 37:115–123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silva RB, Cruz I, Figueiredo MLC, Tavares WS (2010) Development of Coleomegilla maculata DeGeer (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) with prey and artificial diet. Revista Brasileira de Milho e Sorgo 9:13–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Silva RB, Cruz I, Zanuncio JC, Figueiredo MLC, Zanuncio TV, Serrão JE (2013) Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) eggs as alternative food for rearing of lady beetles Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Biol Control 64:101–105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith BC (1960) A technique for rearing coccinellid beetles on dry foods, and influence of various pollens on the development of Coleomegilla maculata lengi Timb. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Can J Zool 38:1047–1049

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith BC (1965) Growth and development of coccinellid larvae on dry foods (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Can Entomol 97:760–768

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Specty O, Febvay G, Grenier S, Delobel B, Piotte C, Pageaux J-F, Ferran A, Guillaud J (2003) Nutritional plasticity of the predatory lady beetle Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae): comparison between natural and substitution prey. Arch Insect Biochem Physiol 52:81–91

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vandekerkhove B, Parmentier L, van Stappen G, Grenier S, Febvay G, Rey M, De Clercq P (2009) Artemia cysts as an alternative food for the predatory bug Macrolophus pygmaeus. J Appl Entomol 133:133–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weber DC, Lundgren JG (2011) Effect of prior diet on consumption and digestion of prey and non-prey food by adults of the generalist predator Coleomegilla maculata. Entomol Exp Appl 140:146–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zar JH (1999) Biostatistical analysis, 4th edn. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, USA

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Derrick Jones maintained our C. maculata colony. We thank Ted E. Cottrell, Louis S. Hesler and Tom A. Coudron for reviewing an earlier version of this manuscript and two anonymous reviewers for improving the text. The United States Government has the right to retain a nonexclusive, royalty free license in and to any copyright of this article. Mention of a commercial or proprietary product does not constitute an endorsement of the product by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Biological Control Laboratory, Jamie Whitten Delta States Research Center, 59 Lee Road, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Stoneville, MS, 38776, USA

    Eric W. Riddick, Zhixin Wu & M. Guadalupe Rojas

Authors
  1. Eric W. Riddick
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Zhixin Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Guadalupe Rojas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Eric W. Riddick.

Additional information

Handling Editor: Patrick De Clercq.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Riddick, E.W., Wu, Z. & Rojas, M.G. Potential utilization of Artemia franciscana eggs as food for Coleomegilla maculata . BioControl 59, 575–583 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-014-9597-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-014-9597-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation