Multiplication of Green Lacewing, Mallada astur (Banks) on Frozen Grubs of Tribolium castaneum Herbst

Abstract

The green lacewing, Mallada astur (Banks) was reared on frozen grubs of red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum Herbst. The incubation period, larval period and pupal period were 3.0-3.3 days, 8.70-9.30 days and 9.10-10.40 days, respectively and total life cycle was completed in 20.8-22.7 days and continuous rearing for 5 generations did not alter any biological parameter significantly. The total immature mortality was 21 per cent and larval survival 76.66 per cent, when fed on a-week-old frozen prey. On prey stored at -4 to -6°C for a period of four weeks, survival was 46.5 per cent and it declined to 38.8 per cent after 42 days as against 85.5 per cent in control. A slight increase in developmental period was noticed with increase in cold storage of the prey beyond four weeks. These studies suggest that frozen grubs of T. castaneum are suitable for the multiplication of M. astur. The production of red flour beetle is cheaper than producing equivalent quantity of rice meal moth eggs, which are presently used for large scale production of the green lacewings.