Efficiency of an artificial feed mixture from insects at cultivation Coccinellidae used for biological plant protection in various agroecosystems

Miniyarov F. T., Pavlov S. I., Yaitsky A. S.

Modern technologies of Coccinellidae cultivation provide for the use of artificial feed mixtures, which make the process of breeding beetles more economically and technologically advanced than methods of breeding on natural food. The purpose of our study was to test a new feed mixture in comparison with natural feed when growing two types of Coccinellidae in a laboratory and to assess their nutritional activity after entering the natural environment. The research results have shown that when creating optimal conditions in the laboratory (temperature +25±2°C, relative humidity 60±20%, photoperiod 16:8, feed and water in excess), four generations of two-point ladybugs (Adalia bipunctata L.) and three generations of seven-point ladybugs (Coccinella septempunctata L.) can be grown on natural and artificial feed during one season. The formulation of artificial feed with a food additive from processed beetle larvae, which we proposed, was readily eaten at all stages of cultivation and allowed Coccinellidae to obtain development indicators and reproductive potential similar to natural food by adult beetles. Larvae and imago Coccinellidae grown on artificial feed effectively reduced the number of aphids in various agroecosystems.

Keywords:pests of agricultural plants; entomophage beetles; Coccinellidae; Adalia bipunctata L.; Coccinella septempunctata L.; survival; oviposition; female fertility.