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Abstract

Providing the food for nymphs and adults is the major factor that limits the use of Podisus maculiventris (Say) in applied biological control. In this study, eight artificial diets based on hen meat and liver developed as alternative food for rearing this predatory bug. Nymphal development of Podisus on these diets was evaluated. Artificial diet which consist of 200g hen meat, 100g fat, 96cc honey solution (5%), 1 g ascorbic acid, 20 drops multivitamins, 20g egg yolk and 20g larvae of Galleria mellonella, has the best result. In comparison to nymphs that reared on larvae of Greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella, nymphal development was prolonged with approximately 5 days. Weight of adults was 18.24% and 20.89% lower than control, for males and females respectively. Sex ratio and survival in the best diet were 1: 1.22 (male: female) and 85% respectively.

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