Suitability of different artificial diets for development and survival of stages of the predaceous ladybird beetle <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eriopis connexa</Emphasis>

The ladybug Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is an important natural enemy of various pests. The potential of rearing it on 17 different diets was evaluated. The percentage of E. connexa adults was higher when its larvae received only eggs of Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) after freezing for 1 day (92.5%) or combined in artificial diets with honey and water (82.5% to 100.0%). The viability from larvae to adult was 72.5% with eggs of A. kuehniella (after 1 day’s freezing) plus an artificial diet based on pet food. No adults of E. connexa were obtained with artificial diets as a stand-alone food source. The duration of the larval period to adult of this predator was longer, but with low viability, with only A. kuehniella eggs (after 6 months’ freezing) or with eggs + artificial diets. Eggs of A. kuehniella (after 1 day’s freezing) supplied separately or along with artificial diets were more appropriate to rear E. connexa and both diets can be used for mass rearing of this natural enemy.